Regional News
ISWAP terrorists kidnap six Borno farmers. Source: The Guardian
Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have kidnapped six farmers in Mafa Local Council of Borno State. Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have kidnapped six farmers in Mafa Local Council of Borno State. The farmers were abducted while they were working on their farmlands along Maiduguri/Dikwa road. Counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed in Maiduguri, yesterday: “The victims, who are mostly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), went missing in Bulagarji village near Mafa town.” Their relatives said the insurgents attacked the farmers and took them to an unknown location in the early hours of Wednesday.
France denies arming jihadists and condemns ‘manipulation’ over Mali pullout. Source: rfi
France on Thursday condemned “increasing manipulation of information” about its military withdrawal from its former colony Mali, where the military junta this week accused it of backing jihadists. A French foreign ministry spokesman said manipulated information “must not distract any attention from the worsening security and humanitarian situation” in Mali. France’s last remaining troops quit Mali this week after a nine-year deployment against a jihadist insurgency.
Mali strengthens ties with Russia, receives six more Soviet-era warplanes. Source: rfi
Mali has received five military jets and a combat helicopter from Russia, which has become a close ally in its fight against a long-running jihadist insurgency. The move underscores the widening rift between Bamako and Paris. The head of Mali’s military junta, Assimi Goita, joined Russian diplomats at a ceremony in Bamako on Tuesday for the handover of five L-39 and Sukhoi-25 jets and an Mi-24P helicopter. The Soviet-era warplanes are the latest batch of deliveries under close ties that have been forged since the Sahel state underwent a coup in August 2020.
With My Civil War Experience, I Know Threats Posed By Unexploded Devices – Buhari Assures Borno Residents Of Solution. Source: Sahara Reporters
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigerian military to fish out terrorists in their hideouts and eliminate them. Buhari, who visited the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, on Thursday, said that with his experience in the 1967 to 1970 civil war, he knew it was tough for residents returning to their communities because of the threats of unexploded improvised explosive devices planted by the Boko Haram terrorists. The president, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, therefore asked the state government and other stakeholders to work with the military to ensure the threats were taken care of.
Security forces clear camp of terror kingpin in Kaduna, discover explosive-making materials. Source: Premium Times
Security operatives in Kaduna Thursday cleared the hideout of notorious terrorist Lawan Kwalba in Chikun Local Government and recovered explosives-making materials. The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, said the security forces retrieved 27 bags of fertilizer for possible production of explosives found in the hideout deep inside in Chikun forest. Mr Aruwan said the troops cleared the camp of Mr Kwalba, in Rafin Dawa in the Dende area of the council. The official said security forces have made further inroads in the ongoing campaign against terrorists and armed gangs across the state.
Nigerian Military Rescues 6 Girls, Infant In Kaduna. Source: Humangle
Nigerian soldiers have rescued six women and an infant in the Kuriga and Manini settlements of Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State in Northwest Nigeria. The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a security update on Wednesday. The rescued persons, who are said to have been reunited with their families, include “Sahura Hamisu, Ramiatu Umar, Saudatu Ibrahim, Maryam Shittu, Fatima Shuaibu, Khadijah Mohammed [along with her infant child].”
Nigerian Troops Clear Kwalba Bandits’ Camp in Chikun Forest, Kaduna. Source: PRNigeria
Troops have made further inroads in the ongoing campaign against terrorists and armed bandits across the state. The troops cleared the camp of a notorious bandit, Lawal Kwalba, in Rafin Dawa in the Dende general area of Chikun local government. According to the operational feedback, the troops of Operation Forest Sanity conducted a patrol to the location following actionable intelligence.
Nigerian Troops Rescue 3 persons along Zaria-Kano Road. Source: PRNigeria
Security agencies have reported that three persons were rescued by troops conducting patrols around Ungwan Namama, along the Zaria-Kano road. According to the feedback, the troops came in contact with migrating bandits in the area and engaged them, forcing them to abandon their three captives as they hastily escaped. The troops then rescued the victims, identified as follows: Abdullahi Lawal, Sadiya Salimanu and Fatima Salimanu (Sadiya’s 10-month-old child).
Mali accuses France of arming jihadists in letter sent to UN. Source: rfi
France’s Barkhane forces completely withdrew from Mali this week, but Bamako continues to pursue Paris – this time at the United Nations. A letter from Mali’s Foreign Ministry to the United Nations Security Council alleges that France supported jihadists within the country and committed airspace violations. According to information first published by the magazine Jeune Afrique, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop’s 15 August letter, also seen by RFI, condemns violations of Mali’s airspace.
Jihadist group claims to have killed four Wagner mercenaries in Mali. Source: news24
An Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group claimed to have killed four mercenaries from the Russian private security group Wagner in an ambush in central Mali, the SITE Intelligence monitoring group said Monday. The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel, said it ambushed a group of Wagner soldiers on Saturday as they rode motorcycles in the Bandiagara region from the village of Djallo towards the mountains, according to a statement by its propaganda arm authenticated by SITE.
Troops dislodge bandits in Kaduna, rescue six hostages. Source: The Guardian
Following weekend’s breakthrough, security forces have dislodged some bandits in their hide-out and rescued six hostages in Chikun Local Council of Kaduna State. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated, yesterday, that troops of Operation Forest Sanity, in the early hours of Tuesday, carried out a raid-and-rescue operation in Kuriga and Manini communities of Chikun.
French soldiers quit Mali, ending nine-year military mission. Source: rfi
The last soldiers belonging to France’s Barkhane operation in Mali have now left the African country, French chiefs of staff announced. French forces have been supporting Mali against insurgents for nearly a decade, but President Emmanuel Macron decided to pull out after France and the Malian junta fell out in the wake of a military takeover in August 2020.
Troops Neutralizing Terrorists in Northern States Daily – CAS Amao. Source: PRNigeria
The Nigerian armed forces have neutralised scores of terrorist kingpins in the Northeast, Northwest and North-Central geo-political zones. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting on “Communicating government policies, programme and activities. He said operations executed in recent weeks through various airstrikes and ground attacks, yielded results because of effective synergy and collaboration between security agencies. Amao was represented at the meeting by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigeria Air Force. The meeting was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
AU Commissioner Pledges Sustainable Support for MNJTF Operations. Source: PRNigeria
The Commisioner in charge of Political Affairs, Peace and Security in Headquarters African Union (AU) Addis Ababa Ethiopia, HE Ambassador Bankole Adeoye in company of other top officials of HQ AU paid a working visit to the HQ Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF ) on Tue 16 August 22 at Camp Farcha in N’djamena, Chad.
Chadian Troops Kill 10 Boko Haram Terrorists. Source: Humangle
The Chadian army said it killed ten Boko Haram terrorists during clashes around Bol in the Lake Chad area. According to the leader of the Chadian Transitional Military Council, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, the clashes led to the death of two Chadian soldiers who were fulfilling their obligations of protecting and defending peaceful citizens.
Insecurity: Zamfara govt provides 20 patrol vehicles, 1,500 motorcycles for community guards. Source: PRNigeria
Gov. Bello Matawalle has procured 20 Special Purpose Vehicles and 1,500 motorcycles to support operations of Zamfara Community Protection Guards. Matawalle announced this during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday in Gusau after an all-night expanded Security Council meeting. The governor said that the vehicles and motorcycles were fully equipped with lawful weapons for the smooth take-off of the community protection guards.
Matawalle Okays Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Bandits, Informants, Others. Source: Daily Trust
The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has signed into law a death penalty on anybody found guilty of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant. He announced this in a broadcast to the people of the state on Tuesday morning.
Gunmen attack Imo market, kill motorcyclist. Source: Premium Times
A commercial motorcyclist was, on Tuesday, killed when gunmen attacked a market in Ogbaku, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east. The gunmen reportedly stormed the market in a Sienna vehicle and shot the victim to death, according to a report by The Punch. The incident occurred while the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali (IGP), was at the Government House Owerri to inaugurate the 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to fight insecurity in the state. The victim, identified simply as Chima, a commercial motorcyclist, was said to have refused orders from the gunmen to enter their vehicle.
Armed forces kill terrorist kingpins in three geo-political zones – Official. Source: Premium Times
The Nigerian armed forces have killed scores of ‘terrorist kingpins’ in the North-east, North-west and North-central geo-political zones. The Chief of Air Staff, Oladayo Amao, an air marshal, made the claim on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting on “Communicating government policies, programme and activities.” He said operations executed in recent weeks through various airstrikes and ground attacks, yielded results because of effective synergy and collaboration between security agencies.
Buhari appoints coordinator for National Counter Terrorism Centre. Source: Premium Times
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a retired Rear Admiral, Yaminu Musa, as the pioneer Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The NCTC is established in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as the coordinating body for the harmonization of all counter terrorism and terrorism financing efforts in the country. The NCTC is equally charged with the coordination of counter terrorism policies, strategies, plans and support in the performance of the functions of the National Security Adviser (NSA), as provided in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Terrorists Abduct 17 People By Canoe In Zamfara. Source: Humangle
Terrorists killed three farmers, abducted 15 women, and two septuagenarians including a Chief Imam on Thursday, Aug. 11 in an attack on Birnin-Tudu and Tungar-Wakaso communities in Gummi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria. The gang, allegedly led by Dogo Gudale’s camp, conveyed an estimated 200 members on 100 motorcycles after being ferried out of the Walale river of Nannarki village, Bukuyum LGA. They then launched a four- hour attack in Birnin-Tudu and Tungar-Wakaso of Gummi LGA from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. WAT.
Boys Recuperating After Unexploded Ordnance Blast In Northeast Nigeria. Source: Humangle
Four young boys injured after picking unexploded ordnance in Ngala town near the shores of Lake Chad are recuperating at a hospital in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in Northeast Nigeria. The boys, Uwa, Umar, Hussaini, and Abdullahi, were playing outside their home when they found a strange object. “Unaware of what it was, the children were curious. The strange object turned out to be UXO and sadly detonated in their hands,” the ICRC said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Abductors Of Nasarawa Commissioner Reject N3.5Million Ransom, Insist On N100Million. Source: Sahara Reporters
The abductors of the information and culture commissioner in Nasarawa State, Lawal Yakubu have demanded a ransom of N100 million. The Nigeria Police Force earlier confirmed the kidnapping of Lawal at his residence in Nasarawa Eggon. This was contained in a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nansel Ramhan, made available to journalists on Tuesday morning.
‘Terrorists Have Taken Over Kaduna, Banned Political Activities Towards 2023 General Elections’ –Governor El-Rufai Writes President Buhari. Source: Sahara Reporters
Governor Nasir El-Rufai says terrorists are consolidating their grip on communities in the state with a parallel government and permanent operational base in the North-western state. According to PREMIUM TIMES, Rufai disclosed this in a late July memo sent to President Muhammadu Buhari. The terrorists belonging to Ansaru al-Musulmina fi Bilad al-Sudan, are believed to have moved to Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State in 2012 when they broke away from Boko Haram.
27 abducted train passengers still in captivity, says Mamu
Publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, Tukur Mamu, has debunked the rumoured rescue of the remaining 27 train passengers in captivity. In a statement, yesterday, Mamu urged the public to disregard the story about the victims’ release and tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts in securing their release, as their situation remains highly unpredictable. According to Mamu, the remaining passengers in captivity are in terrible condition.
Nigerian Troops Nab Bandits as Mob Lynch an Accomplice in Lere, Kaduna. Source: PRNigeria
Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that seven suspected bandits have been arrested in Mariri community of Lere local government area. According to the report, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence gathering.
Coping With Multiple Identities As An Intersex Person In Wartime Borno. Source: Humangle
As an intersex person who was a captive of the terror group, Abubakar Sadiq Adam was treated kindly. As one living in Nigeria, he is treated with ridicule.
Insecurity: Group support communities in Yobe with gadgets to detect, report early warning threats. Source: Blue Print
As parts of efforts to detect and report early warning threats in Damaturu and Potiskum, African for peace Development and Empowerment Foundation (AFRYDEV) with funding support from USAID through Nigerian Northeast Connection has distributed gadgets and equipment to support community to detects and reports conflict indicators and triggers of violence in their communities. In his opening remarks at the flagged-off ceremony, the director disaster state ministry of Humanitarian Kaku Jawi Bizi appreciated the USAID and NEC through AFRYDEV for the support for building capacity of communities in the state.
Peace and Security
Ojukwu extolls military’s fight against insurgency. Source: Blue Print
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN, has extolled the efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces as well as the commitments of the governments and citizens of the North-eastern states towards reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reintegration of communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency. Ojukwu gave this commendation at a Traditional and Religious Leaders Forum on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in North East Nigeria. At the event which took place in Maiduguri, Borno state, the Executive Secretary said the Armed Forces have made a lot of sacrifices to secure the civilian population despite the difficult terrain in which they operate in the fights against insurgency.
Enhancing Public Support for the Armed Forces. Source: PRNIgeria
The frustration and anger expressed by the Nigerian military whenever it feels hard done by negative publicity and a lack of public support are understandable. Despite the challenges faced in curbing insecurity in parts of the country, it is important to acknowledge the efforts of officers who, day and night, are on the frontline sacrificing their lives for the security and safety of their country-men and women. Many people who fall short of showing support for the armed forces will never know what it is like to serve in the military. Often, the all-too-common demoralising phrase is that these gallant people “knew what they were signing up for”. Yet, officers and men of the armed forces are not ghosts. They are humans just like the rest of the public with emotions and loved ones left behind to defend the country against both internal and external aggressors.
Wanted – Testing New Strategies of Fighting Insecurity. Source: PRNigeria
Nigeria’s insecurity has lingered for so long. It has caused so much havoc to the nation and its people. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, with many Nigerians becoming refugees in their own country. The Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, insurgency, together with the menace of armed banditry, and kidnapping for ransom, among other heinous crimes have never been so rife. In the 2020 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), Nigeria was rated the 3rd worst country with insecurity in the world behind Afghanistan and Iraq.
Insecurity: At least 465 people killed, 355 kidnapped across Nigeria in June – CSO. Source: Premium Times
At least 465 people were killed and 355 others abducted across Nigeria in June, a new report by a civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE), has revealed. The report, “Inclusion and accountability for improved public governance”, was released on Wednesday in Abuja and focused on the country’s recent security incidents. While presenting the report, the chief of research and policy at CODE, Ani Nwachukwu, said 2,000 people – mostly from rural communities – were displaced and 120 people had injuries of varied severity.
Humanitarian
Buhari to Sadiya Umar Farouq: Ensure unimpeded return of IDPs in North-east. Source: Blue Print
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and its agencies to come up with specific programmes to address urgent threats posed by explosive remnants in the North-east region. The president issued the directive Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno state, on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day 2022. On the 13-year conflict and insurgency which displaced the population in the region, the president said: ”The emerging issues include the increasing number of orphans and widows.
Boko Haram Conflict: Widows, Orphans, Unexploded Ordinance Emerging Issues, Says Buhari. Source: Humangle
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the military and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to pay attention to emerging issues as the insurgency in the Northeast shifts into the post-conflict phase. On Thursday, Aug. 18, he listed the rising numbers of widows and orphans and the dangers of unexploded ordnance in communities where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled as new challenges for those managing the conflict. He raised the concerns when he visited Maiduguri, where he joined humanitarian aid workers on the frontline in celebrating the 2022 World Humanitarian Day.
Resettlement Efforts In Nigeria’s Guzamala Suffer Setbacks. Source: Humangle
Modu Zarami* recently leased a farm in the villages surrounding Gajiram, a town in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria. Earlier this year, he and his brothers began preparing the farm for the rainy season. But, no thanks to lingering insecurity in the area, he would not be able to do this in his hometown of Guzamala, where he has been displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency. Zarami currently stays in the capital city of Maiduguri. He is one of over 2 million people in the region displaced due to the ongoing conflict. But as the insurgency enters its 13th year, peace has still not returned to a lot of places.
In five years, Nigeria records 14% reduction in child marriage –Report. Source: Premium Times
A new report- Nigeria’s National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS), has revealed that the country has recorded a significant decrease in the number of children who get married before the age of 18. The latest report said the statistics reduced from the 44 per cent given in 2016 to 30 per cent in 2021. This was revealed at the launch of Nigeria’s 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and NICS report, implemented by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with UNICEF. The survey measures the government’s progress towards national commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Apart from the reduction in child marriage, the MICS results also revealed that Nigeria has also made progress in child mortality which decreased from one in eight children dying before their fifth birthday (MICS 2016) to one in 10 children (MICS 2021).
MSF Expands Facilities To Care For More Malnourished Children In Northwest Nigeria. Source: Humangle
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health in Katsina, Northwest Nigeria, has made more facilities available to accommodate malnourished children in the state. The international humanitarian organisation disclosed this in a press release made available to HumAngle on Monday, Aug. 15. The MSF says that it achieved the expansion through the establishment of an In-Patient Therapeutic Feeding Centre (ITFC) consisting of 80 beds as well as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Dr Yusha’u Armaya’u Maternal and Paediatric Health Facility in Kofar Sauri. Another facility extension occurred at the Turai Umaru Yar’Adua Maternity and Children Hospital. The project was inaugurated by Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the MSF team during a ceremony held at the state capital on Monday.
Above normal rainfall expected in North from August to October –NiMet. Source: Blue Print
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that above normal rainfall conditions forecast from August to October is expected in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina states. The Director General / Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu, while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the prevailing weather patterns observed across the nation as well as measures of mitigation, said other states to be affected are Kano , Jigawa , Yobe , Borno , Bauchi much of Kebbi and Gombe as well as northern Kaduna and Adamawa states.
Maiduguri Flood Puts Displaced Residents At Risk Of Waterborne Epidemic. Source: Humangle
Days of torrential downpour have forced many residents in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, to temporarily evacuate from their flooded homes. Badly designed and obstructed drainages, a bold signature of years of poor town planning, has left many in perpetual misery every time it rains. For this reason, neighbourhoods like Ngomari, Bulumkutu, and Polo general area are common sights of flooded homes and streets each time it rains heavily. HumAngle learnt that the biggest suffering of the residents is not even the flood-induced displacement but the unavoidable health risks associated with the natural disaster.
