Regional News
Buhari Government Shuns Military, Awards N718million Contract To Private Security Outfits To Protect Abuja-Kaduna Rail From Terrorists. Source: Sahara Reporters.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led regime has coughed up N718.19million in contracts to private security firms for the protection of the 45-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna railway and stations. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved it on Wednesday, according to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mohammed Bello. This was made in response to the attack on the rail line between Abuja and Kaduna, which forced the suspension of service.
Tension in Maiduguri as Borno govt seals NNPP office ahead Kwankwaso’s visit. Source: Premium Times
Tension brews in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as armed police officers took over the state secretariat of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) following its closure by the Borno State Government on Thursday. The office was declared illegal and sealed by the Borno government which said it was meant to be a residential building. This comes at a time the opposition NNPP is preparing to host its leader and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is billed to visit the state on Saturday.
Nigerian military eliminates 57 terrorists, top commanders – DHQ. Source : Premium Times
The DHQ says the operations were conducted through land and air raids on the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclaves in Borno and Yobe States.
Troops neutralise several terrorists, apprehend others in North-central, North-west – DHQ. Source: Premium Times
The Defence Headquarters says troops operating in various operations have eliminated several terrorists in the North-central and North-west in the last two weeks. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, a major general, made this known at the bi-weekly news briefing of the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.
47 ISWAP Terrorists Killed as NAF Jets Raid Sambisa Forest. Source: PRNigeria
Today’s brief will cover the period from 11 – 25 August 2022.
The Deadly Crises Tearing Nigerian Rural Communities Apart. Source: Humangle
Nigeria is confronted with multiple security challenges. But boundary disputes often fall off the radar, despite intensifying in recent years, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced. A report by Nextier SPD shows that in the 12 months to Sept. 2021, communal clashes accounted for 14 out of the 890 conflict incidents and 80 out of the 3,787 casualties. During this period, there were communal conflicts in eight states. Ebonyi and Osun states reported three incidents, Benue and Gombe states had two incidents, while the other four states – Kwara, Niger, Bayelsa, and Edo – had one incident each. Ebonyi, with 39 casualties, accounted for 49 per cent of the reported deaths. Osun, Kwara, and Bayelsa states accounted for another 43 per cent of the deaths.
Troops destroy Boko Haram markets in Borno, kill six. Source: The Guardian
Troops of the 21 Armoured Brigade have destroyed a Boko Haram market in Bama Local Council of Borno State. They also invaded and destroyed another market, known as ‘Daula’ and killed six terrorists manning it. Counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, stated, yesterday, in Maiduguri: “Troops, in collaboration with the Civilian JTF, stormed an illegal market at Bararam village,” adding that the insurgents were trading in food items, including maize, beans, salt, seasoning cubes and used clothes. Other wares traded in the market comprise drugs and petrol.
BREAKING: Many Soldiers Feared Dead As Terrorists Ambush Nigerian Army Convoy In Zamfara
A yet-to-be ascertained number of soldiers has been killed following an ambush on a military convoy by gunmen suspected to be terrorists in Kekun Waje district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The troops were said to have been ambushed during a patrol in the area on Wednesday. Some of the personnel were said to have been injured during the attack and are currently receiving medical attention. A military source who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters claimed that “about five bodies of slain soldiers have been recovered”.
ICRC Charges MNJTF With Adhering To Rules Of Engagement In Lake Chad. Source: Humangle
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has on Wednesday, Aug. 24, requested that rules of engagement be followed by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in the Lake Chad region as it counters Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram elements. Alfa Mamadu Djalo, representing a delegation of the ICRC during a visit at the MNJTF headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad Republic, urged the military alliance to maintain contact with the families of arrested persons. He also praised the task force for its achievements. Several people living in Lake Chad’s conflict zones have reported missing loved ones, and some of them have been unable to locate them. After years of looking, sometimes family members are located in prisons and military detention centres.
We Asked AI To Write About Violence In Zamfara, Nigeria. This Is The Result. Source: Humangle
Since 2011, Zamfara State in Northwestern Nigeria has suffered from a wave of banditry, as gangs of armed bandits terrorise citizens. This violence has left thousands dead and many more wounded and caused widespread displacement. These gangs attack isolated farms, and small villages, rob people and their properties, kill men and take away women and children as captives. Some are released after a ransom is paid; others remain captive for months or years. In 2016 alone, about 40 villages were attacked by these armed bandits who came with horses and camels to cart away all they could from their victims. The gang members are believed to be Fulani cattle herders who have been forced out of their natural habitat because of desertification caused by unsustainable deforestation for firewood and the construction of large-scale farms for export crops such as palm oil.
Many killed as military bombards terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa forest. Source: The Guardian
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet under the air component of Operation Hadin Kai (KAI), yesterday, bombarded terrorists’ hideout in Sambisa forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State, killing a number of hoodlums.
Nigerian Troops as Endangered Species: A Wake-up Call By Rasheedat Shuaib. Source: PRNigeria
The reason why the Nigerian Tribune recently published an editorial titled: “The Attack on the Brigade of Guards,” is not far-fetched. Insecurity is attempting to drown Nigeria, and annihilate its citizens. According to the editorial, the attack on the Brigade of Guards is one that should draw the attention of Mr. President to take urgent action against insecurity. Insecurity, which is fast deteriorating in Nigeria by the day, is threatening the sovereignty of Africa’s Giant. But how did Nigeria arrive at this critical point where the safety of human lives cannot be guaranteed in its federal capital territory?
TRENDING: ‘I’ll invite military to bomb kidnappers in Abia’ – Orji Kalu. Source: Premium Times
The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Orji Kalu, has said he would bring military forces to “comb” bushes in Abia State and “kill” those behind insecurity in the state. Mr Kalu stated this on Saturday during his visit to the Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state as part of his ward assessment tour of Abia North District which he represents. Mr Kalu, a former governor of Abia, also posted a video clip of the visit on his Facebook page. He said the insecurity in the state will end after the bushes would have been combed by security agencies within the next four months.
How soldier murdered Yobe cleric, Goni Asami – Police. Source: Premium Times
The police in Yobe State, North-east Nigeria, on Tuesday, narrated how a soldier, John Gabriel, allegedly killed an Islamic cleric, Goni Aisami, in the Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Dungus Abdulkarim, in a statement, said the suspect, Mr Gabriel, was arrested alongside his accomplice, Adamu Gideon, both deployed to the 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru. He said the soldiers are being interrogated for suspected armed robbery and homicide.
President Buhari condemns murder of Yobe cleric. Source: Premium Times
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condemned the murder of Yobe State-based Islamic cleric, Goni Aisami. The police said a soldier, John Gabriel, whom the cleric offered a lift, has confessed to the murder to steal his car. Mr Gabrial and an accomplice, Adamu Gideon, are being investigated for armed robbery and homicide. In a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari said such a criminal act is unbecoming of a soldier and negates the ethos of the military. He, thus, asked the military leadership to flush out bad soldiers within its rank.
Terrorists Block Zamfara Highway For Hours, Abduct Over 27 Commuters. Source: Humangle
Terrorists kidnapped over 27 commuters on Saturday, Aug. 20, along the DakiTakwas-Zuru Federal highway in Zamfara, northwestern Nigeria. The abduction took place from 3:30 p.m. to about 8:25 p.m. unhindered. The gang abducted scores of travelers coming from Sokoto, Gusau, Gummi, and Anka, and heading towards Zuru Emirate.
Nigerian Army Reacts to the Killing of Islamic Scholar by two Soldiers in Yobe. Source: PRNigeria
The attention of Headquarters Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai has been drawn to a publication by Premium Times dated 21 August 2022 alleging that the Nigerian Police in Yobe State have arrested two soldiers over the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Gashua.
Soldier who killed Yobe cleric was redeployed to checkpoint after stealing from commanding officer. Source: Premium Times
The soldier, who was arrested for allegedly killing an Islamic cleric in Yobe State, Goni Aisami, was recently redeployed for allegedly stealing N480,000 belonging to his commanding officer. The soldier, John Gabriel, a Lance Corporal, attached to the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, was interrogated as the prime suspect in the theft of N80,000 and N400,000 on two occasions before he was redeployed to the checkpoint, an army source said. The soldier was the orderly of the battalion commander, GS Oyemole, a colonel, before he was asked to leave sometime in July because of his dubious character, the source who confided in PREMIUM TIMES added.
Nigerian Army Speaks On Alleged Murder Of Cleric In Northeast. Source: Humangle
The Nigeria Army has reacted to the alleged murder of a popular Islamic cleric in Yobe state, Northeast Nigeria. The cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami, was reportedly killed by two soldiers on Friday, Aug. 19 while travelling from Kano to Gashua, his home town in Northwest Nigeria. The development has triggered reactions from many Nigerians demanding justice for the deceased. Reacting to the incident in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 21, Kennedy Anyanwu, the spokesperson of Headquarters Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, described the incident as “highly regrettable”.
Gunmen abduct four Catholic reverend sisters. Source: Premium Times
Gunmen have abducted four reverend sisters of the Catholic Church along Okigwe- Umulolo Road in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east. The incident happened on Sunday morning. The abducted victims are members of the Sisters of Jesus, the Saviour Generelate, a religious group of the Catholic Church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-south Nigeria. The Secretary-General of the religious group, Zita Ihedoro, disclosed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
Zamfara Government Hails Notorious Bandit Leader, Turji Bello For Embracing Peace, Attacking Rival Terror Groups. Source: Sahara Reporters
Zamfara Government Hails Notorious Bandit Leader, Turji Bello For Embracing Peace, Attacking Rival Terror Groups. The Zamfara State Government says a notorious leader of a gang of bandits in North-West Nigeria, Muhammad Bello, aka Bello Turji has embraced its peace initiative. Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Hassan Nasiha, disclosed this during a conference on security in Gusau, the state capital organized by the Students Union of Medina University.
‘Notorious gang leader’ makes peace deal in Nigeria. Source: BBC
Until a few days ago, if you mentioned the name “Bello Turji” to any northern Nigerian you would most likely get a vexed and fearful response. Over the last couple of years, Mr Turji gained notoriety as the banditry and insecurity troubling north-western Nigeria worsened. Amongst other alleged crimes, he was accused of ordering the burning alive of 23 passengers including a pregnant woman last year in Sokoto state. But over the weekend, the regional government of Zamfara state announced Mr TurjI had now embraced peace and was vowing to fight active bandits.
Terrorists Block Zamfara Highway For Hours, Abduct Over 27 Commuters. Source: Humangle
Terrorists kidnapped over 27 commuters on Saturday, Aug. 20, along the DakiTakwas-Zuru Federal highway in Zamfara, northwestern Nigeria. The abduction took place from 3:30 p.m. to about 8:25 p.m. unhindered. The gang abducted scores of travelers coming from Sokoto, Gusau, Gummi, and Anka, and heading towards Zuru Emirate. Other passengers who were on a trip from Zuru, Ribah, and Danko-Wasagu areas of Kebbi State, were also kidnapped.
Nigerians Tackle Zamfara Government Over Moves To Grant Amnesty To Bandits’ Leader, Turji. Source: Sahara Reporters
Nigerians across the northern region have rejected moves by the Zamfara State government to absolve terror kingpin, Bello Turji, of violent crimes against humanity. The Zamfara State government had on Sunday in a statement noted that the notorious bandits’ leader had repented and embraced peace after years of kidnapping, rape, stealing and killing innocent citizens. SaharaReporters had reported on August 21, 2022 that the Zamfara State Government said the notorious leader of gangs of bandits in North-West Nigeria, Muhammad Bello, aka Bello Turji embraced its peace initiative.
Gunmen Shoot Dead Nigerian Army Officer, Major Orji In Anambra. Source: Sahara Reports
Some unidentified gunmen have reportedly killed a Nigerian Army officer, identified as Major Churchill Orji, in Anambra State. It was learnt that the army officer was killed during an operation on Monday in Azia axis, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. A news medium, The Razor, quoted a schoolmate of the deceased, Leonard Edu, to have confirmed the killing of the deceased.
Imo: Abducted catholic sisters regain freedom. Source: Blue Print
The four catholic sisters abducted around the busy Okigwe-Enugu express road in Umulolo Okigwe in Imo State last Sunday, have regained their freedom. The good news was broken in a press release Tuesday by the Secretary General of Sisters of Jesus The Saviour (Generalate), Sr Zita Ihedoro.
Peace and Security
Adopt Artificial Intelligence to tackle insecurity – Experts urge govt. Source: PRNigeria
Some security and intelligence experts have advocated the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle the security challenges confronting the country.They spoke at the 15th International Security Conference and Award (ISCA), organised by the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), on Saturday in Abuja. Director General of IIPS, Dr. Tony Ofoyetan said that deploying inanimate things like drones would give great push to the fight against insecurity.
Exhibition in honour of victims of terrorism holds in Abuja. Source: Blue Print
Gender Strategy Advancement International in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre will on Saturday hold the women and peace cultural exhibition in commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of victims of insurgence and act of terrorism in Abuja. The Executive Director GSAI, Adaora Onyechere, in a statement Tuesday in Abuja, said over the years the role of women in peace, mediation and reconciliation has diminished even in a time where insecurity is heightened in the country and women and children have become the burden bearers of this.
Without Curbing Defence Corruption, Nigeria’s Insecurity ‘ll Persists – CISLAC. Source: PRNigeria
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, says Nigeria’s insecurity will persist as long as the federal government and other relevant stakeholders do nothing to curb corruption in the nation’s defence and security sector. Executive Director of the Centre, Mal. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stated this at a ‘One-day Media Workshop on Defense Anti-Corruption Reportage, Civic Space, and Oversight,’ in Lagos. According to Rafsanjani, though trillions of naira were budgeted by FG between 2015 and date, to enhance national security, Nigerians have been groaning under the yoke of various security threats, in recent years. The CISLAC boss observed that defense corruption is not only undermining the safety and security of Nigerian citizens, it is also responsible for the inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.
Citizens Acquiring Arms for Self-Defense, Recipe for Anarchy, CISLAC Says. Source: PRNigeria
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has said that citizens procuring ammunition for self-protection will not curb insecurity, but rather aggravate it. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, revealed CISLAC’s position in Lagos, on Tuesday. He was speaking at a ‘One-Day Media Workshop on Defense Anti-Corruption Reportage, Civic Space and Oversight”, organized by CISLAC, in collaboration with Transparency International – Defense and Security Program, and supported by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event was aimed at sensitizing journalists on defense and security budgets, in order to identify corruption risks and possible areas of investigative journalism.
Nigerian Army Women Corps Prepare for Military Operations. Source: PRNigeria
The Nigerian Army Women Corps (NAWC) will commence a 7 day FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE (FTX) for its troops from 27 August – 2 September 2022 in Giri-Gwagwalada general area, Abuja. The exercise is designed to test the troop’s Leadership skills, Physical fitness, Team work, Military Operations Other than War among other military drills. The exercise would also provide a platform to ascertain troops’ preparedness towards supporting all the Nigerian Army’s engagements.
Humanitarian
Cameroon, Nigeria To Commence Joint Resettlement Of IDPs In Border Areas. Source: Humangle
The governments of Borno State in Northeast Nigeria and Cameroon’s Far North Region are to commence joint repatriation of displaced persons camping in the border town of Minawao. This was disclosed on Monday, Aug. 23, in Maiduguri, capital of Borno, by Midjiyawa Bakari, Governor of the Far North Region, who is also Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Governors’ Forum. Bakari is in Borno with a 19-member delegation, including representatives of international NGOs, for a two-day technical review meeting on the operations of the Governors’ Forum.
Maiduguri Farmers Trooping To Work In Unsafe Areas Despite Abduction Cases. Source: Humangle
At least 6,000 local farmers depart their homes every day to their farms outside Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, in northeastern Nigeria, security personnel say. But this is taking place amid threats to their safety. Locals around the Jere and Mafa Local Government Areas of the state have reported frequent cases of farmers being attacked or abducted by persons believed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Resettled IDPs In Borno Community Are Crossing To Cameroon For Potable Water
One of the consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria is that families get separated across states ‒ and sometimes across countries. The recent relocation of internally displaced persons by the Borno State Government has exposed a new dimension of humanitarian gaps in resettled communities. For Kirawa, a town sharing borders with Cameroon, asides other pressing humanitarian needs, residents identified water scarcity as their number one challenge. The lack of adequate water has exposed them to health risks. Locals cross the border into Cameroon to get water despite the challenges they face in the process, such as the water being sold at an exorbitant price and the early closure of the borders.
Onion Farming Fills Humanitarian Gaps At Borno Unofficial IDP Camp
A large pool of water at the Muna Elbadawi camp sustains the farming business. But during the rainy season, it easily becomes a cause for worry. The onion farmers and charcoal makers are part of the ecosystem around a pool of water at the camp. Just as the onion nursery needed constant watering to enable the seeds to germinate, the charcoal pyramid needs constant watering to prevent the fire from flaming and burning the woods into ashes. It takes about 90 days to grow and harvest onions after the seedlings have been replanted. Before this stage, the seedlings themselves germinate within about four weeks.
Stabilization and economic development
African Countries Adopt Strategy To Transform Health Security, Emergency Response. Source: Humangle
Health ministers across five African countries have adopted an eight-year strategy aimed at containing the health and socioeconomic impacts of public health emergencies. The Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies (2022–2030) was endorsed during the 72nd session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lomé, Togo. It is currently being implemented in Botswana, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. WHO, however, noted in a press statement disclosed that there are plans to expand this number significantly before the end of the year and for the programmes to be scaled up regionally over the next five years.
