Regional News
How NAF Fighter Jets Raided ‘Ghana’, Battled Three Bandit Groups, Killed Over 200 Terrorists. Source: prnigeria
No fewer than 200 bandit terrorists were yesterday killed in Ghana, a community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, PRNigeria reports. The bandits, it was learnt, were eliminated by air strikes of Nigerian military air troops. The aerial operation by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF), Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike and Operation Gama Aiki took place on Wednesday between 4.45 pm and 6.34 pm in some bandit camps within Ghana. This is coming barely a week after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, reassured Nigerians that terrorists and insurgents will have no hiding place. PRNigeria gathered that the terrorists have been under surveillance for some time and were observed to be in three different groups of approximately 40 terrorists, with at least 25 motorcycles per group.
Terrorists sack Niger SSG’s village, burn several houses, vehicles. Source: blueprint
Terrorists have attacked Matane, the home town of the Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Ibrahim Matane. The attack was said to have occured Monday night during which several houses, vehicles and other valuables were burnt down. The state Commissioner of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview. He said, “A number of houses, shops and valuables were burnt by the Bandits in Matane, Mashegu local government of Niger state.”
200 terrorists killed in three days in Niger State – Official. Source: premiumtimes
At least 200 bandits have been killed in Niger State in the past three days in security operations, an official has said. The state’s Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, said this on Wednesday. Mary Noel-Berje, the media aide to Governor Abubakar Bello, in a statement said Mr Umar spoke at a press briefing at Government House, Minna on the directive of the governor. According to her, Mr Umar said many commanders of the terrorists were killed in the operations, pointing out that the eliminated terrorists belonged to the camps of Ali Kawajo, Yello Janbros, Kachalla Halilu and Bello Turji. The commissioner added that the success recorded was due to a new approach evolved in the joint security operations and the collaboration of traditional leaders, community leaders and members. He said over 60 motorcycles, unspecified number of cows and arms were recovered from the terrorists, adding that the arms have been handed over to the security agencies.
War Room: Nigerian Army Commissions Ultra-Modern Operations Centre. Source: prnigeria
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya today 28 February 2022 commissioned newly constructed Nigerian Army (NA) ultra-modern Operations Centre, situated at the Army Headquarters Complex. The new Centre will coordinate and control all NA operational engagements across theatres of operations nationwide. Gen Yahaya expressed gratitude to the former COAS, who is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Ambassador, Lt Gen(rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai for his foresight in conceiving the project, adding that the new Operations Centre will serve as a Command Centre, situation room, as well as operational briefing center for the NA.
Terrorists abduct 2 construction workers in Niger. Source: blueprint
Bandits have reportedly abducted two construction workers on the the Minna – Suleja road near Lambata-Izom in Gurara local government area of Niger state. Blueprint learnt that the incident occurred about 4pm on Monday. Motorists, who were on the road at the time of the incident, told reporters that they had to wait until the terrorists completed their operations before proceeding on their journey.
Terrorists kill monarch, 16 in Benue, Niger, displace 12 villages, 5000 people. Source: blueprint
No fewer than nine persons were reportedly killed and many others seriously injured when gunmen suspected to be loyalists of the late militia leader, Terwase Akwaza (Gana), attacked mourners at Mbacher council ward of Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue state. Locals said the gunmen stormed the venue of the burial of a tax collector, Zaki Atser Nor, Saturday and started shooting at the mourners, killing nine persons on the spot while also leaving other persons critically injured.
MNJTF Eliminates ISWAP/Boko Haram at Cameroon Nigerian Borders. Source : prnigeria
In the course of operations conducted within the period between 23- 27 February 2022, troops of MNJTF sector 1 Cameroon conducted operation in Vretet-Zamga-Ngoshe triangle in the general area of Kirawa on the Nigeria /Cameroon borders where several BHT/ISWAP insurgents were neutralised and many fled with gun shot wounds. During the operation large quantity of materials and assorted food stuff were recovered. The items include 01 AK47 rifle, 01 AK47 Magazine, several ammunitions of the 7.62 MM special variant , 21 bicycles, 01 BHT uniform, 39 bags millet and 02 bags of beans. An intelligence analysis indicates that, the items were being smuggled from the borders to sambisa forest. It is believed the terrorists are stock piling materials for the incoming month of Ramadan. Further exploitation of the engagement areas showed traces of blood, evidence of BHT/ISWAP criminals removed corpses of their dead colleagues while 2 corpses of Boko Haram criminals were discovered.
We Give 20 Percent Of Our Harvests To ISWAP As Tax – Returnee IDPs. Source: Humangle
Borno IDPs who were recently returned to their reclaimed communities, as well as those who were trapped in remote hinterlands, said they wouldn’t have survived starvation had they not been permitted by ISWAP to cultivate their farms after agreeing to pay some taxes to the terrorists. HumAngle learnt from credible security sources that when IDPs from Kukawa were returned to their hometown, no conventional security outfit was deployed to guard the community. “There was a time that troops of the Nigeria military used to go there every day and slept over until one day when ISWAP attacked them and collected one Emrap truck and two gun trucks from them; since then, soldiers stopped going to Kukawa,” a top security official confirmed to HumAngle. It was also gathered the troops later stormed Kukawa to destroy their market when it was realised that the market was being used as ISWAP’s logistic supply hub.
17 Villagers Killed In Fresh ISWAP Attacks On Borno Communities. Source: Humangle
ISWAP terrorists had on Saturday attacked three communities along the deadly Maiduguri-Biu highway that was re-opened for all travellers barely two weeks ago. The road, which was closed for nearly five years due to the hostile activities of terrorists, was opened on Feb. 10, after it was declared safe for commuters. At least 15 villagers have been killed by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in coordinated attacks on three communities in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria on Saturday, credible security sources and eyewitnesses said. ISWAP terrorists stormed Mandaragirau, a community 32 kilometers away from Biu, the headquarters of the council area, at about 7.30 p.m. WAT and summarily slaughtered six male residents. Sources said the gunmen moved to a nearby Ghuma village and killed two other males and left several others injured.
ISWAP ‘Misbehaving’ in Damboa, Konduga Axes after Troops thwarted their attacks. Source: prnigeria
ISWAP ‘Misbehaving’ in Damboa, Konduga Axes after Troops thwarted their attacks. In separate incidents Saturday evening, Nigerian troops have thwarted the attempt by ISWAP terrorists to attack communities in Damboa and Konduga axes in Borno State. While Nigerian troops have succesfullyb repelled an attack by ISWAP attack at in the outskirt of Konduga along Bama Road, another group of fleeing terrorists attacked village in Mandaragirau under Damboa. PRNigeria gathered that after being defeated in the morning by Nigerian troops along Damboa- Biu roads, fleeing ISWAP returned to Mandaragirau village and killed some villagers they suspected of leaking information to the military. Early in the morning, Nigerian troops of Operation Desert Sanity on a long range patrol in the general area, intercepted communication of the terrorists on a mission to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) on the routes and attack a military base.
Podcast: What Happens When War Feels Safer Than Hunger? Vestiges Of Violence: Episode 48 Source: Humangle
In Maiduguri, Borno State capital, there has been a significant drop in the amount of aid IDP camps receive. Amidst severe hunger, insecurity, and sexual harrasment, many IDPs now prefer to return to their host communities, however unsafe it may be.
MNJTF Neutralises Boko Haram Terrorists On Nigeria, Cameroon Borders. Source: Daily Trust
Troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Cameroon have neutralised several Boko Haram terrorists in Vretet-Zamga-Ngoshe triangle in the general area of Kirawa on the Nigeria /Cameroon borders. The Chief of Military Public Information headquarters, MNJTF N’Djamena Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole, in a statement Monday, said many of the insurgents fled with gunshot wounds.
Peace and Security
Boko Haram and ISWAP are kidnapping children to train as soldiers and merciless killers. Source: rfi
Between June 2014 when Boko Haram deployed its first female suicide bomber and February 2018, the group carried out a record 240 suicide attacks by females, according to the United States-based Combating Terrorism Center. The attacks killed some 1,200 people and injured 3,000 others. More than 465 women and girls were deployed or arrested in connection with suicide bombings within the same period. A report recently publishsed by United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef, backs up those figures. In its report, it claims that more than 8,000 girls and boys have been recruited and used as child soldiers since 2009 when the insurgency started.
Subdued in Nigeria, Boko Haram shifts attacks to neighbouring countries – Report. Source: premiumtimes
The 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report has some cheery news about Nigeria – attacks by the deadly terror group, Boko Haram, appears to have declined in the country, as the group is now preoccupied with attacks on neighbouring West African countries. Nigeria has also gone down to the sixth position globally, among the countries that have been hard hit by terrorism in 2021, according to the report. It had occupied the third position for more than three years before now. Afghanistan tops the list of countries most impacted by terrorism in 2021, followed by Iraq and Somalia. The fourth and fifth positions are occupied by Burkina Faso and Syria.
Tackling Insecurity Through Collaboration Among Security Agencies. Source: prnigeria
Recently, the Director-General, State Security Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, advocated robust synergy among the security actors and other stakeholders in the country in tackling myriads of insecurity in the country. The DG spoke at a 3-Day Defence Headquarters Inter-Agency Cooperation Workshop with the theme: “Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation for Sustainable National Security”, on Thursday February 24, 2022 in Abuja. Bichi, represented by the Director of Operation, Mr Joseph Dashwep, noted that positive and productive outcomes from the operations could only be guaranteed if the various agencies worked together, adding that the complexity and transnational nature of crimes had made inter-agency cooperation necessary.
Force Commander Seeks Seamless Funding of MNJTF. Source: prnigeria
The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim delivered a lecture on Thursday 24 February 2022 at National Defence College (NDC) Abuja entitled “Counter Terrorism/Counter Insurgency Operations and National Security in Nigeria:The MNJTF In Perspective”to the participants of NDC course 30. The FC in the lecture gave the background, force structure and operational achievements of the MNJTF. General Ibrahim further brought out issues and challenges that affect the MNJTF in its counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations. He particularly harped on interoperability and funding of the Force. The FC stressed the need to have seamless funding mechanism for the Force and offered measures to improve operability of the Force. The FC was emphatic on the need to have multidimensional lines of operations aimed at ending the conflict rather than over reliance on the military line of operation alone. He advocated for a whole of society approach in ending the Insurgency and other security challenges.
Military Operation In Nigeria’s Northeast Intensifies. Source: Humangle
Counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria’s northeast region are gathering steam as the military shifts operational tempo and conducts ambushes and patrols that have led to the recovery of lethal weapons and vehicles. The posture of Nigerian troops has changed in the past few weeks since the injection of additional wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles, alongside the commencement of operations in contested areas where the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is active. The military engagement would also benefit from the combat aircraft and armed drones stationed in the region. On Feb. 22, the Army disclosed that the 40th Special Forces Brigade had carried out an operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, one of the strategic heartlands of ISWAP. Similarly, the 26th Task Force Brigade was said to have carried out a patrol at Fadagwe village and adjoining settlement.
Humanitarian
Hunger, Economic Hardship Forcing Resettled IDPs Back To Maiduguri. Source: Humangle
Some of the reasons the Borno state government has cited for the resettlement drive is the need to build resilience and self-reliance among the displaced people. Limited access to livelihood support and starvation are, however, forcing many returnees to flee back to the state capital. The Borno government recently said that it had returned about 700,000 IDPs in 13 out of the 16 official camps located within Maiduguri to their respective local government areas.
We Give 20 Percent Of Our Harvests To ISWAP As Tax – Returnee IDPs. Source: Humangle
Borno IDPs who were recently returned to their reclaimed communities, as well as those who were trapped in remote hinterlands, said they wouldn’t have survived starvation had they not been permitted by ISWAP to cultivate their farms after agreeing to pay some taxes to the terrorists.
Yobe Lawmaker Empowers 200 Youths In Constituency. Source: northeaststarlive
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency in Yobe State, Zakariya’u Mohammed Galadima, to training 200 Youths and Women on vocational skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development. The training would conduct through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) as part of efforts to make them self-reliant.
The empowerment program is currently held in Gashua and Jakusko and is intended to train 200 of the youths in skills such as Plaster of Paris (PoP)/painting and tailoring, 100 participants for each programme, for the next three months. After the training, beneficiaries will be empowered with start-up packs that include sewing machines and tools for POP/painting and stipend/capital that will enable them to start up their own business. Some of the trainees expressed appreciation for the initiative and promised to use their skills to help themselves and the community.
Stabilization and economic development
Borno, Evidence Of Nigeria’s Resilience—Osinbajo. Source: northeaststarlive
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says that Borno, in spite of its challenges, has proved how resilient Nigeria can be. Osinbajo made this submission during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-kanemi, on Thursday in Maiduguri. The vice president was in Borno to unveil the 30th edition of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinics in Maiduguri and also to inaugurate some projects completed by Gov. Babagana Zulum.
Osinbajo inaugurated the Doctors’ Quarters Maiduguri, RCC Resilience Commercial Centre, Mai Deribe Memorial Senior Secondary School, Old Maiduguri, and Goni Damgari road project. The vice president also visited the North-East Learning Centre, El-Badawi IDP camp and camp for rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram insurgents.
