Regional News
Death toll rises to 11 in Kano mosque explosion (premiumtimesng.com)
The death toll from Wednesday’s attack on a mosque at Gadan, a community in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, has risen to 11, the police and residents of the area have said.
Residents said they buried at least 11 victims of the attack, mostly aged persons.
No fewer than 47 individuals associated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), have surrendered to troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade of Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, Sector 3, Nigeria.
Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, Chief Military Public Information Officer, N`djamena, Chad, said this in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri.
Chad’s Mahamat Deby confirmed as winner of disputed election | Reuters
N’DJAMENA, May 16 (Reuters) – Chad’s constitutional council confirmed Mahamat Idriss Deby as winner of the May 6 presidential election on Thursday after dismissing challenges by two losing candidates – cementing a victory that extended his family’s decades-long rule.
Mosque attack in northern Nigeria leaves 8 people dead | Africanews
At least eight worshippers were killed and 16 others injured early Wednesday morning after a man attacked a mosque with a locally made explosive in northern Nigeria’s Kano state, resulting in a fire outbreak, the police said. The suspect, a 38-year-old local resident, confessed that he attacked the mosque in Kano’s remote Gadan village “purely in hostility following (a) prolonged family disagreement,” police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna said in a statement on Wednesday.
Terrorists operating in Zamfara, North West Nigeria, have invaded three satellite communities in the state, abducting 105 farmers, including women and children.
The invasion and mass abduction happened around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024. The three farming communities attacked are Gora, Madomawa, and Jambuzu in the Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of the state.
Mosque attack in Nigeria’s north injures at least 24 people, including children | Africanews
At least 24 worshippers, including four children, were injured in northern Nigeria’s Kano state after a man attacked the mosque where they were praying early Wednesday morning, resulting in an explosion, the police said.
The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of the area, confessed that he attacked the mosque in Kano’s remote Gadan village “purely in hostility following prolonged (a) family disagreement,” police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna said in a statement.
Terrorists abduct over 80 in Katsina – Daily Trust
Terrorists on Monday kidnapped over 80 people at Yar-Malamai village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. This was barely 24 hours after the attackers had killed some soldiers at the military camp in the area.
Bandits invade Kogi varsity, many students feared abducted – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Bandits on Thursday night invaded the Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTEC, Osara, Okene in Kogi, and abducted some students.
An eye witness account indicated that the bandits swooped on the university around 9.00 p.m. while the students were reading for their upcoming exams.
Senate okays death sentence for hard drugs, substance trafficking – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Senate on Thursday, prescribed death sentence as penalty for trafficking in hard drugs and other substances in Nigeria.
This followed the passage of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Amendment Bill 2024.
It also prescribed not more than 15 years imprisonment without option of fine, for conviction on consumption of hard drugs and substances.
14 abducted Kogi varsity students rescued – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Fourteen students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH, Osara in Kogi, abducted by bandits on Thursday night, have been rescued
Bethrand Onuoha, the Commissioner of Police in the North-Central State, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lokoja.
Nigerian Customs intercepts petrol worth N10.8m en route Cameroon – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Adamawa/Taraba command of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, says it has recently seized 12,435 liters of petrol worth N10.8 million.
The Customs Area Comptroller in charge of the command, Bashir Garba-Bature made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Yola.
Groups of terrorists in the North West have suffered heavy casualties when the laid ambushes for troops of Operation ”Hadarin Daji” in Zamfara.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Nigerian troops kill 135 terrorists, apprehend 182 others in 1 week – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Defence Headquarters says troops have eliminated a total of 135 terrorists, apprehended 182 and rescued 140 kidnap victims in ground and air operations across the country in the last one week. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja on the operations of the Armed Forces.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and sought for a court injunction to stop Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State Assembly from marrying off 100 orphaned girls.
Blasphemy: Again, Abduljabbar disengages his counsel – Daily Trust
Controversial Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, who was sentenced to death by hanging for blasphemy, has disengaged his lawyer, Sadiq Yusuf.
This is not the first time that the cleric would disengage his legal team in the ongoing case.
Police parade suspect who drugged victim to steal tricycle – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with Keke Napep (tricycle) theft during an operation aimed at flushing out criminals from the state. The suspect was paraded alongside 44 other suspects before journalists at the command’s headquarters today.
3 killed as rival gangs clash in Kano – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Three people have been reportedly killed during a clash between two rival thuggery groups in Kano State. The incident reportedly happened in Darmanawa quarters, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano, Sunday evening.
Jos DisCo to restore power supply to Bauchi, Gombe soon – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, says it will soon restore power supply to Bauchi and Gombe States following progress recorded in the repair work of four vandalised transmission towers. JED’s Managing Director, Abdu Bello-Mohammed said this during an inspection visit to the ongoing reconstruction of vandalised 330kV power line towers.
NAFDAC dismantles illegal alcohol factory in Badagry – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
In a bid to rid the country of fake and substandard products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has dismantled an illegal alcohol factory in Badagry. The agency, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, by Mr Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, said its enforcement team was aided by the Nigerian Army 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry.
Nigeria: Unions protest electricity price hike following removal of subsidies | Africanews
Labor unions in Nigeria staged nationwide protests on Monday over recent increases in electricity prices following the removal of subsidies by the West African nation’s government. The unions made up of government workers were picketing offices of public electricity utilities in major cities as they asked authorities to counteract price hikes that have worsened the country’s cost of living crisis.
Army cracks down on Rivers residents ‘refining’ crude oil in their homes – Daily Trust
The 6 Division of the Nigeria Army on Wednesday discovered 5 reservoirs stocked with 45,000 liters of crude oil each in Odagwa Etche community, Etche local government area of Rivers State. Conducting journalists round the oil bunkering sites, General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Jamal Abdusalam, who was represented by the Commander of 29 Battalion of the Division, Lt. Col. Ishaya Manga, said residents have crude oil boiling pots in their respective homes.
Hisbah Arrests Trust TV Journalist over Social Media post – Daily Trust
Katsina State Hisbah Board arrested Jamil Mabai, a journalist working with Trust TV, the television broadcasting arm of Media Trust Group.
Mabai was arrested after he put up a social media post to criticise the alleged human rights violations against youths.
Nigerian military kills 227 terrorists, apprehends 529 others (premiumtimesng.com)
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated no fewer than 227 terrorists, apprehended 529 and rescued 253 kidnapped victims in ground and air operations across the country in the last one week. The Director Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major general, made this known while briefing journalists on Thursday in Abuja on the operations of the armed forces.
Peace and Security
Why we released 313 Boko Haram suspects to Borno government – DHQ – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Defence Headquarters says the release of 313 terrorism suspects to Borno Government was on the orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who made the clarification on Thursday in Abuja, said the suspects were detained on suspicion, but no evidence was found against them at the conclusion of investigation.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and called for an alignment of purpose and structure in West Africa to effectively address the challenges confronting the region. Speaking during a meeting with the Senegalese President at the State House, President Tinubu said West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and poverty.
Benin grants temporary authorization for export of Nigerien oil | Africanews
On May 15, President Patrice Talon met with the Director General of CNPC, the Chinese company handling the Benin-Niger export pipeline. Following the meeting, Benin’s Energy Minister announced that Benin has granted temporary and provisional authorization for the first ship to load Nigerian oil at the Sèmè platform. This decision came after a request from Nigerien customs to participate in the loading operations.
Kuriga children played significant role in our rescue efforts – DHQ – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, says the level of distress created by the abducted Kuriga school children provided sufficient grounds for the troops to exploit and rescue them. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja on the operations of the armed forces across the country.
Mali national dialogue recommends junta rule extension | Africanews
A recent national dialogue in Mali concluded with recommendations supporting the extension of military rule for several more years. Participants, mainly from the military, proposed that Colonel Assimi Goita, the leader of the junta that seized power in 2020, should be allowed to run for the presidency in future elections. However, the dialogue was marked by significant opposition boycotts, with critics accusing the military of using the process to prolong its hold on power.
COAS orders investigation into state of Army detention facilities – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Legbaja, has ordered an investigation into the state of all Nigerian Army detention facilities across the nation. A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said that the order was in response to the recent protest by some detained personnel at the 8 Div. Garrison detention facility in Sokoto State.
Chad’s opposition leader challenges the results of the presidential elections | Africanews
Chad’s opposition leader says he has filed an appeal with the country’s constitutional council to challenge the preliminary results of the May 6 presidential election. In social media posts Sunday, Succès Masra shared a copy of a receipt showing that documents had been filed with the council.
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, says the Federal Government will soon introduce Citizenship Studies as core subjects at all levels of education in the country.
The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this at a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders on Saturday in Lokoja as part of his 2-day working visit to Kogi.
Nigeria’s security challenge sends wrong signals to investors – Peace foundation – Daily Trust
The Global Peace Foundation has expressed concerns over the rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, noting that it sends negative signals to potential foreign investors. Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the foundation’s country representative in Nigeria, expressed the concerns during a high-level dialogue organised by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja.
MNJTF troops appreciate communities for support – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has commended the invaluable contributions of local communities in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
In a press statement released on Friday, MNJTF spokesperson Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abubakar highlighted the communities’ ongoing support for Operation Lake Sanity, a major offensive against terror groups.
Chad declares interim president Deby winner of disputed vote – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
Chad’s state election body said interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby had won the May 6 presidential election outright with over 61 per cent of the vote, citing provisional results, even as his main challenger declared himself the winner.
Chad’s junta has become the first of the coup-hit countries in West and Central Africa to stage a return to constitutional rule via the ballot box, but some opposition parties have cried foul over vote-rigging concerns.
Nigeria has commissioned and added to her fleet of weapons what will be described as terrorist groups’ mayhem ongoing counterterrorism operations.
On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the defence spokesperson announced a boost to frontline troops with the delivery of an improved version of the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to fight insecurity in the country.
Humanitarian
The vast majority of internally displaced people in northeastern Nigeria have identified hunger and inadequate nutrition as their biggest concerns. This was noted in an ‘intention survey’ conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), released on Thursday, May 9. The study was done in collaboration with Nigeria’s National and State Emergency Management Agencies, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, and other humanitarian non-governmental organisations.
Plight of IDPs: What I witnessed in Maiduguri – Japanese Ambassador – Daily Trust
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, has narrated how he witnessed first hand, the plight of those impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) camps during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno state capital.
He lamented that for over decades, Nigeria has been confronted by insurgency and terrorist attacks, particularly from Boko Haram in the North East.
76 million internal displacements recorded in 2023 | Africanews
Conflicts and natural disasters left a record nearly 76 million people displaced within their countries last year, with violence in Sudan, Congo and the Middle East driving two-thirds of new movement, a top migration monitoring group said Tuesday.
Nigeria’s wounded soldiers fought to recover at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games | Africanews
One evening in November 2020, a year into his military service, Peacemaker Azuegbulam’s lifelong dream of being a soldier came to an abrupt end. He was among a group of Nigerian soldiers deployed in the country’s grinding counteroffensive against Islamic extremists in northeastern Borno state when an anti-aircraft weapon was fired at them.
Teacher bags life imprisonment for raping minor – Daily Trust
An Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, has sentenced a 47-year-old secondary school teacher, Ojo Ezekiel to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl. Ezekiel was first arraigned on July 1, 2022, on one count charge of rape contrary to section 3 (1) and punishable under section 3 (2) of the violence against persons (prohibition) law of Ogun state 2017.
Lydia Simon, one of the 276 girls abducted from Chibok in 2014, has regained freedom, officials confirmed. She emerged from captivity with three children, stating that six of her schoolmates remained behind somewhere in the Gwoza area of Borno, northeastern Nigeria. Lydia, now 27, was taken ten years ago during her final exams at Government Secondary School in Chibok. She is said to be the 195th girl to have regained freedom.
Mobilization and economic development
Niger says Benin’s blockade of its oil exports violates trade agreements | Africanews
Tensions between Niger and Benin have escalated further over a decision by Cotonou to prevent its landlocked neighbour from using its port to export its first crude oil, as a border dispute between the two rages on.
Return to CNG-powered cars, Tinubu orders MDAs – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng)
The Federal Executive Council has directed that all new vehicles, generators or tricycles procured by government and its agencies must be powered by Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, solar or electric. This is in line with the administration’s commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility and cut high fuel cost in the country.
A financial expert, Okechukwu Unegbu, has advised the Federal Government to consider pricing the country’s crude oil, in Naira in order to strengthen the local currency.
Mr Unegbu, a past president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
Nigerian artistes earn N25bn in 2023 from streaming — Spotify – Yerwa Express News (yen.ng) Spotify, a global online music streaming platform says it paid more than N25 billion to Nigerian artists as royalties in 2023.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said this was double of what was recorded in 2022, with 2,500 per cent increase since 2017.
Nigeria suspends cybersecurity levy | Africanews
“Nigeria has decided to suspend the proposed cybersecurity levy on domestic money transfers,” Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced, adding that “The implementation has been directed by the government to be put on hold.”, local media reported.
“The new levy was planned as authorities clamp down on cryptocurrency, which they have blamed for Nigeria’s currency weakness,” Idris explained.
Electricity: Nigeria govt to offset N130 billion debt to gas companies (premiumtimesng.com)
The Nigerian government has approved the payment of N130 billion to offset some of the debts owed to gas companies (GasCos) in the country, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said.
Mr Adelabu disclosed this while speaking at the eighth edition of the Africa Energy Market Place (AEMP) Nigeria, in Abuja, on Thursday.
