Regional News
The ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria descended into chaos in Maiduguri, North East Nigeria, as police clashed with demonstrators. Hundreds of young men gathered on the Maiduguri-Kano highway, blocking one carriageway and chanting anti-government slogans. The protesters, who had vowed a hunger strike, faced off against police deployed to maintain order. When some of the protesters sighted a convoy of security personnel, they began throwing stones and sticks at the officers, and the situation escalated.
At least 28 journalists, including a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, were either arrested or attacked while covering the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria. On Thursday, police officers hit Yakubu Mohammed, a conflict reporter with PREMIUM TIMES, with the butt of their gun and their batons until he sustained injuries on his head.
Many Killed As Suicide Bombing Hits Market In Nigeria’s Borno State – HumAngle (humanglemedia.com)
A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated a bomb at a marketplace in Kauri, a rural community in the Konduga area of Borno state, North East Nigeria. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, at the market area, which operates at night every day, bustling with people. Local sources reported multiple casualties. HumAngle could not independently verify the number of victims affected by the explosion, but a witness, Awana Modu, put the figure at over 19. “[They] died instantly when the explosion hit the market area,” he said. Community members in the vicinity confirmed to HumAngle that an ambulance arrived and conveyed the victims to a health facility.
Protests: Protect journalists, MRA tells FG, security operatives (premiumtimesng.com)
Programme Officer, MRA, Esther Adeniyi, said the call to protect journalists became necessary in light of recent events where journalists have faced undue harassment, obstruction, and violence without consequences while performing their duties. Ms Adeniyi cited Principle 20 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in November 2019, which it said had been given judicial seal in Nigeria by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mali: Nearly 50 Wagner fighters killed in an ambush | Africanews
Dozens of Wagner mercenaries were killed by jihadis and rebels over the weekend in northern Mali in what one analyst described on Monday as the largest battleground blow to the shadowy Russian group in years. At least two others were taken captive. Approximately 50 Wagner fighters in a convoy were killed in an al-Qaida ambush, which was joineby rebels who were in pursuit, along the border with Algeria, said Wassim Nasr, a Sahel specialist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, a security think tank, who said he counted bodies in a video of the aftermath. The mercenaries had been fighting mostly Tuareg rebels alongside Mali’s army when their convoy was forced to retreat into jihadi territory and ambushed south of the commune of Tinzaouaten, Nasr said.
#EndBadGovernance: Ten Hours Later, Protest In Jos Ends Without Chaos – HumAngle (humanglemedia.com)
“Kidnapping is Enough,” “We are Hungry,” read some of the placard inscriptions as residents of Jos, Plateau state, took to the streets on Thursday, Aug. 1, to join the first day of a nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria. Around 8 a.m., the crowd began gathering at the Old Airport Junction, a notable assembly point in the metropolis used during the anti-police brutality protest in 2020. The gathering grew despite a heavy security presence. Prophet Isa El-Buba, a leading Christian cleric in the state, addressed the protesters later. “The people of Nigeria are peacemakers… but they desire the welfare of one another,” he said.
8 Killed as Military Troops Raid Terrorists’ Hideout in Borno – PRNigeria News
Troops of 151 Battalion of the Nigerian Army conducting counter-terrorism counter- insurgency operations under the auspices of Operation HADIN KAI in North East Nigeria, have eliminated 8 terrorists in Bula Marwa, just ahead of Siraja village in Borno State.
SERAP sues CBN over ‘failure to account for missing N100 billion dirty notes…’ (premiumtimesng.com)
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “over the failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.” In the suit number FHC/L/MSC/441/2024 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the CBN to explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion dirty and bad notes kept in various branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since 2017.”
Abuja protest turns chaotic at Eagles Square as police tear gas protesters (premiumtimesng.com)
The #EndBadGovernance protest near Eagle Square in Abuja turned chaotic on Thursday after police fired tear gas canisters at the crowd of demonstrators. PREMIUM TIMES reports that what started as a peaceful demonstration erupted into chaos around 11:46 a.m. when the police resorted to the use of tear gas in a bid to disperse the protesters.
U.S. Embassy fears terror attacks during protests, cancels visa appointments (premiumtimesng.com)
The United State Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria have issued a security alert, saying terrorist groups might launch attacks during the ongoing nationwide protest in the country. “There is a risk of terror attacks in Nigeria and terrorist groups may take advantage of opportunities created during the potential nationwide protests to conduct attacks,” said the advisory sent to PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday night.
A year after Niger’s coup, split political loyalties test family ties | Politics News | Al Jazeera
“No talk of politics today,” Aissata* said to her teenage daughter on the way to her parents’ house for their traditional Sunday gathering in Niamey. “We can’t talk about any of this with the others. I don’t want any tension at the table.” The 60-year-old mother of four and former teacher returned to Niger with her family five years ago after spending most of her adult life in the United States. She and her husband decided to retire to their homeland when their youngest daughter left home for college.
Iconic Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwenu dies at 72 | Africanews
Veteran Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress, Ms Onyeka Onwenu is dead has passed away at the age of 72. Reports indicate she died on Tuesday night after performing at an event on Banana Island, Lagos. Onwenu reportedly collapsed following her performance at the birthday celebration of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital in Victoria Island, as reported by The Guardian. Her family has yet to state her death. Born in 1952 in Obosi, Anambra State, Onyeka Onwenu launched her music career in the 1980s. She debuted with the album “For the Love of You” in 1981 and went on to release numerous albums and singles, including the popular track “One Love.”
Nigeria court convicts 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants in mass trial | Africanews
A court in Nigeria has convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offences. The Attorney General’s office says the charges against them were “bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and International Criminal Court-related crimes”. The mass two-day trial was presided over by five Federal High Court judges at a military detention facility at Kanji in Niger State. Thousands of people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the Boko Haram insurgency since it began in 2009. It has created a humanitarian crisis in the northeast of the country and put pressure on the Nigerian government to bring an end to the conflict. Eight-five of the people were convicted for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and the remaining defendants for terrorism offences. They were sentenced to various jail terms.
Clashes in Mali: Tuareg rebels inflict losses on Government and marcenary forces | Africanews
In the northern region of Mali, Tuareg rebels reported on Saturday that they had killed and wounded several government soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries during a two-day clash near the Algerian border. The Malian military confirmed the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to 10 others. The CSP-PSD rebel movement declared on Saturday that they had seized armoured vehicles, trucks, and tankers during the confrontations in Tinzaouaten on Thursday and Friday. They also asserted causing damage to a helicopter that crashed in Kidal, located hundreds of kilometres away.The Malian army verified that two soldiers were killed and 10 were injured, with a helicopter crashing in Kidal during a routine mission on Friday, resulting in no casualties. Videos shared on social media showed motionless bodies of several white men and Malian soldiers lying near wrecked vehicles.
Nationwide Protest: Court Restricts Protesters to Abuja Stadium – PRNigeria News
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has restricted participants in the August 1, hunger protest against the federal government to the MKO Abiola stadium, also known as National Stadium. Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In the exparte application argued by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, the FCT Minister had applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Military, NEMA Synergies on Disaster Management Efforts – PRNigeria News
The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has today, July 29, 2024, received the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA), Hajia Zubaida Umar, on a courtesy call to the Defence Headquarters Abuja. Her visit was based on the report she received on assuming office as regards the impressive support extended to NEMA. General CG Musa who received the DG and her entourage in his office, congratulated her for a well deserved appointment, noting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria ( AFN) will leverage on NEMA rescue plan to avert future unfortunate disasters. He reiterated the AFN continuous support to the Agency while saying NEMA is doing a lot to make things better. He added that the Agency is also touching lives through their activities.
Clashes as anti-government protests break out across Nigeria | Africanews
Thousands of mostly young people poured onto the streets across Nigeria on Thursday as they protested against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in several places. In Abuja, where a court granted an order late Wednesday to restrict the protest to a stadium, Nigerian police officers were seen firing tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters that gathered a few kilometers (miles) from the Presidential Villa. The police also fired tear gas at protesters in Bauchi and Borno states in the conflict-battered northeast. It was not immediately clear if security forces made any arrests.
Nationwide protests planned in Nigeria over economic challenges | Africanews
Nigerians are organizing nationwide protests this week to address the most severe cost-of-living crisis the country has faced in decades. With significant support building on social media platforms, authorities are apprehensive about a potential recurrence of the fatal demonstrations against police brutality that occurred in 2020 in this West African nation, or the possibility of unrest akin to the recent protests in Kenya, which erupted in chaos in the capital, Nairobi, following a tax increase.
VOA60: Nigerians continue anti-government protests, and more (voaafrica.com)
On VOA 60: About 100 people took to the streets of Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, to speak against economic hardship, a day after President Bola Tinubu called for an end to protests that have rocked the nation. Plus, Mali’s military government says it cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing a senior Kyiv official of having admitted his nation had a role in a heavy defeat Malian troops suffered in July. This and other news-related updates on today’s VOA60!
Peace and Security
Cameroon releases activist arrested over TikTok posts, lawyer says (rfi.fr)
Hairdresser and social media activist Junior Ngombe, 23, was arrested outside his shop in the western city of Douala on July 24 by three plainclothes men claiming to be intelligence officers, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Good news from #Cameroon#JuniorNgombe has been released on bail, his lawyers confirm.
All charges should now be dropped. His place is not in prison.
Human rights in Niger ‘in free fall’ a year after coup, rights groups say (rfi.fr)
“The military authorities in Niger have cracked down on the opposition, media, and peaceful dissent since taking power in a coup one year ago,” Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said in their joint report. The groups called on the ruling authorities to “immediately release all those held on politically motivated charges; guarantee respect for fundamental freedoms, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and association”.
It’s been one year since a military coup in Niger, and human rights in the country are in free fall.
Maritime Security: Navy Seeks Stakeholders’ Support to Boost Oil Production – PRNigeria News
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to collaborate in addressing emerging security challenges and boosting oil production.He made the call during stakeholders meeting in Abuja, today where he emphasised the need for collective efforts to tackle issues such as oil theft, pipeline vandalism, piracy and other maritime security. He acknowledged that the development of Nigeria’s sectors over the last few decades has witnessed several complex security challenges. He said some of these include violent agitations, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, piracy/sea robbery, amongst others.
Russian Wagner group reports massive losses in Mali (rfi.fr)
The West African nation, which has been actively fighting insurgent jihadist and separatist forces in its north for over a decade, turned to Wagner for support after a military junta came to power in 2020. From July 22 to 27, the Malian armed forces and fighters from Wagner’s 13th Assault Squad “fought fierce battles” against a coalition of Tuareg separatist forces and jihadist militants, according to a statement from Razgruzka Vagnera, a Telegram channel linked to Wagner’s leadership.
Troops Rescue Hostages, Neutralize Terrorists in Various Operations Nationwide – PRNigeria News
Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for counter terrorism operations across the country in a display of unwavering courage and dedication on Monday 29 July 2024 conducted series of operations that resulted in the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of a notorious terrorist, interception of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and seizure of arms. A notorious Boko Haram fighter also surrendered to the troops. In Kogi State, troops responded swiftly to a distress call along the Obajana Oshokoshoko road, where some civilians were abducted and taken into the forest. The troops moved in swiftly to locate the victims, where they had fierce gun battle with the kidnappers and successfully extricated the hostages.
Hunger Protests: Police Boss Tasks Officers to Remain Alert, Professional – PRNigeria News
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu EGbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on Wednesday 31st July, 2024, addressed a virtual conference with Senior Police Officers from across the country, focusing on critical issues of preparedness, deployment, and the maintenance of law and order during the planned nationwide protest in the country. In his address, the IGP emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of alertness and professionalism within the force, noting that the safety and security of the nation depend on the vigilance, gallantry, and readiness of our officers in the Police and other security agencies.
Hardship Protest: Dialogue with FG, Defence Minister Urges Youths – PRNigeria News
He Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni has called on the organizers of the proposed protest to shelve the idea and come to a roundtable and dialogue with Federal Government as Tinubu’s reforms have started yielding fruitfull results adding that the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery and assured citizens that this administration will do more to meet their needs. According to the Minister, the reforms initiated by Mr. President have started improving the lives of Nigerians as the economic growth in Q1 2024 was the second fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years. Defence strategy as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda in improving security is yielding result as well.
Police Chief Approves Hardship Protests, Rolls Out Conditions – PRNigeria News
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, asked all groups planning to carry out the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. Recall that some aggrieved Nigerians had fixed August 1 – August 10, 2024. Speaking with journalists at Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday, the police boss said the demands were made to ensure the protest was peaceful. Egbetokun also disclosed that intelligence at the disposal of the Force has revealed that foreign mercenaries are involved in the proposed nationwide protest.
Humanitarian
SEMA, DSS Monitor Grains Distribution in Bauchi State – PRNigeria News
Bauchi State has successfully completed the phase II distribution of grains, targeting four local government areas and several key institutions among others. The exercise, held on July 28, 2024, saw Shira, Gyiade, Dambam, and Jama’are Local Governments Areas received their allotted grains. Additionally, beneficiaries included boarding schools, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Recall that the federal government had earlier released 20 trucks load of rice to each 36 states and FCT which is part of the efforts to ameliorates citizens’ sufferings due to current economic hardships.
When children turn 10, their first double-digit milestone is usually a time of excitement. But not for Elizabeth John, who could only feel dread about what was to come. A day after her 10th birthday, three older women held her legs down firmly as her mother pressed a burning hot pestle against her still-developing breasts, unyielding even as the child screamed in pain.
Mobilization and economic development
China and Africa explore new frontiers in cooperation {Business Africa} | Africanews
China-Africa relations are expanding into green development, with key discussions planned for the September FOCAC summit. One expert notes that despite forecasts of slower growth, China’s expanding economy will continue to benefit its African partners. Roya Rahmani, chair of Delphos joined us for more on the report. Delphos is a financial advisory firm that has been bringing large capital to Africa for financing projects.
China and 26 African countries agree to strengthen partnerships in digital field | Africanews
China and 26 African countries have agreed to strengthen partnerships and boost innovation in the digital sector. African participants at the Forum on China, Africa Digital Cooperation were hosted Monday (Jul. 29) by the Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing. Senegal’s minister of telecommunications looked forward to the changes scheduled over the next three years. “This digital cooperation between China and Africa is win-win, and will bring benefits to our countries, the African continent and China through the setting up of innovative infrastructures,” Alioune Sall said. The parties jointly issued an action plan which includes the implementation of 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and the training of at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field.
