Regional News
VIDEO: Boko Haram Terrorists Slaughter Dozen ISWAP Fighters, Burn Others in Gun Trucks. Source: PRNigeria
Boko Haram fighters have ambushed and killed scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists in a renewed ‘war of supremacy’ between the two extremist sects. In a video obtained by PRNigeria, insurgents of the Boko Haram faction loyal to Buduma paraded and later slaughtered dozens of ISWAP fighters at a makeshift gravesite. The Boko Haram elements later burnt alive some ISWAP terrorists in gun trucks.
Meanwhile, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on Wednesday eliminated no fewer than 33 ISWAP fighters. It was also gathered that the MNJTF troops also rescued dozens of women and children during a military operation in Gamborun Ngala Local Government Area of Borno state. PRNigeria gathered that items recovered from the terrorists included guntrucks motorcycles and sophisticated weapons.
Several residents including women, children fleeing from gunmen drown in Niger State – Official. Source: Premium Times
The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, has confirmed the report that several residents, including women and children fleeing from gunmen, drowned in the Guni-Zumba River. The victims were inhabitants of Guni and Kurgbaku communities in Munya local governments of the state. The governor’s media aide, Mary Noel-Berje, in a statement on Thursday described the incident as painful and disturbing. He condoled with the family members of the deceased and the entire people of Munya Local Government Area. “The attacks which were said to be simultaneous forced the people to flee in an overloaded boat which later capsized killing all on board as no one was said to be rescued,” the official said. The governor has directed the state emergency agency to immediately commence search and rescue operations as well as provide succour to people in the affected communities.
Insecurity: Allow Nigerians bear arms to defend themselves – House Leader. Source: Premium Times
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), has called for firearms permits for Nigerians willing to defend themselves in the face of the failure of security agencies to protect lives and properties. Mr Doguwa made the call on Thursday during a debate on a motion of urgent importance moved by Shehu Balarabe (PDP, Kaduna) on killings in Kaduna State. Terrorists have killed scores in Kaduna, and other northern states in addition to killings by armed groups in other parts of Nigeria in recent years. On Monday, an Abuja-Kaduna train was attacked by terrorists resulting in the deaths of at least eight persons. The incident occurred a few days after the security at Kaduna airport was breached. “If the agencies of security have failed, then Nigerians should not be seen as failures,” Mr Doguwa said, noting that the option would be for Nigerians to be allowed to defend themselves. Speaking further, the House Leader said if the issue of insecurity could be addressed democratically, “Nigerians should be allowed to return to the jungle”.
World Doctors’ Day: In 15 Months, 19 Medical Doctors Were Killed Or Abducted In Nigeria. Source : Humangle
At least one doctor was reportedly either killed or abducted nearly every month from Jan. 2021 to March 2022 in Nigeria, analysis of media reports by HumAngle has shown. HumAngle can report that a total of 19 medical doctors were either killed or kidnapped due to armed violence across Nigeria in the past 15 months.
Police Acquire Sophisticated Drones to Fight Insecurity. Source : PRNigeria
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba psc(+), NPM, fdc, has acquired five (5) additional high-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to improve surveillance operations to checkmate criminal activities in the country in line with the IGP’s vision and mission statements which include technology-driven policing. The acquisition is the manifestation of the IGP’s determination to integrate the use of innovative technology in the law enforcement duties of the Nigeria Police Force and ultimately enhance its intelligence gathering and operational capabilities. The drones will assist the Police in monitoring active crime scenes, coordinating response operations, and providing aerial support to responding officers. The UAVs include an ALTI Transition, capable of covering up to 150km in a single flight with high endurance of up to 14 hours, and an Elistair Orion fixed-wing aircraft, capable of covering up to 92m altitude with high endurance of up to 50 hours and other sensitive and forensic-based features.
Boko Haram: Ex-Detainee Recounts Horrific Torture, Deaths In Giwa Barracks. Source: Humangle
Arrested for allegedly having a connection with Boko Haram, Adamu Musa – 43 years now narrates how soldiers breached the rights of citizens picked up in similar circumstances as well as how they exploited and tortured them to death in Northeast Nigeria.
How Niger State Government Secretly Paid Millions Of Naira As Ransoms To Three Bandit Groups To Free Abducted Commissioner. Source: Sahara Reporters
Apabakura Dan-Makaranta, a 34-year-old bandit leader in Niger State says that the government paid a ransom before Muhammed Sanni Idris, the state Commissioner for Information, was released, FIJ reports. Idris was abducted in his home in Baban Tunga, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, on August 9, 2021. A few hours after his abduction, the terrorists demanded N500million from his family.
It was later reduced to N180 million.
Kaduna train attack: Security threats rising, need new strategies, says Niger president. Source: The Guardian
Niger Republic President, Mohammed Bazoum, has said African countries battling terrorism need to come up with new strategies for dealing with the challenges. Bazoum spoke with State House correspondents, yesterday, after his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja. The Niger Republic leader said the West African region is battling an increased level of security threats, especially in the wake of recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.
Aftermath of Kaduna train bombing: Military raids kill scores of terrorists. Source: The Guardian
Four days after the Kaduna-Abuja train bombing, the Nigerian Air Force attack jet, on Wednesday, reportedly killed no fewer than 34 terrorists in a forest between Kaduna and Niger states. Military sources said those eliminated were allegedly behind the violence. A source said: “Upon receiving credible information that at about 2:00p.m on March 30, 2022, about 70 terrorists on 40 motorcycles and some on foot, were sighted moving towards Akilibu-Sarkin Pawa Road, near Mangoro Village. The air component of Operation Thunder Strike swiftly scrambled an aircraft to intercept and neutralise the terrorists.
MNJTF Neutralises Dozens Of Insurgents, Rescues 41 People In Lake Chad. Source: North East Live
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), under Operation Lake Sanity (OPLS) in the Northeast, have neutralized dozens of terrorists in the Lake Chad region. Scores of terrorists were killed during the ongoing clearance operations in the lake bordering Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. A counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, yesterday (Thursday) in Maiduguri, stated that the operation was to rout out remnants of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents from the fringes of the Lake and Basin.
‘Complex’ military shake up as French forces in Mali retreat to Niger. Source: rfi
France is stepping up its military cooperation with Niger as it continues to fight Islamist insurgents in the Sahel following a breakdown in relations with Mali’s military leaders. Colonel Hervé Pierre, the man in charge of coordinating France’s pivot from Mali to Niger, spoke to RFI about the “extremely complex” reorganisation. More than 2,400 French soldiers stationed in Mali as part of Operation Barkhane are in retreat following Macron’s announcement in February that “multiple obstructions” by Mali had made it impossible for France to continue its mission there. Analysts say the military reorder – expected to take four to six months – is part of wider plans for Paris and its European partners to rethink their strategy in the region after nine years of fighting in Mali. The withdrawal will also allow Mali’s military junta, which seized power in a coup in 2020, to think about its own strategic alliances with countries interested in the Sahel, such as Russia and Turkey.
Over 35,000 repentant terrorists for reintegration, says Zulum. Source: The Guardian
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said that over 35,000 repentant Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are being disarmed for reintegration into communities. Zulum declared this, yesterday, at an international conference, tagged ‘Lake Chad Basin: Key Steps towards Comprehensive Regional Solutions’ at Winston House, Sussex, United Kingdom (UK). Addressing delegates from Chad, Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger and development partners from UK, he disclosed: “We’re navigating the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) processes in the state,” amid ongoing kinetic efforts to fully reintegrate the repentant terrorists. The conference, hosted by UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, he noted, focuses on effectively managing the massive surrender of the terrorists through DDR. Presenting the paper, he said the rate of defection and surrender by the terrorists, as well as liberated communities, were high with an average of 200 to 300 people a day.
West African bloc ECOWAS maintains sanctions against Mali. Source: rfi
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday said it would maintain sanctions on Mali over the military rulers of the Sahel country delaying a return to civilian rule after a coup. At the end of a summit in Ghana, ECOWAS also issued warnings to the juntas that recently seized power in Guinea and Burkina Faso. The West African regional bloc said military leaders in Guinea should provide “an acceptable timeline for transition” by the end of April, or it would slap punitive measures on the government and the National Transition Council (CNT).
Shock as terrorists launch another train attack in 24 hours. Source: The Guardian
The orgy of attacks in Kaduna State continued, yesterday after terrorists at the weekend attacked an airport and followed it up with Monday’s rail track explosion at Gidan train station along the Abuja-Kaduna rail track. It was gathered that the terrorists planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the tracks forcing the train heading to Abuja from Kaduna to a stop. This is the second attack within 24 hours along the same axis. As of press time, details of the second attack were still sketchy, and it wasn’t yet clear if there were casualties. Innocent Ajiji, president of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, confirmed the development to newsmen. He said: “We are yet to determine the extent of the damage.”
UPDATE: Troops Secure Abuja-Kaduna Train trapped by Terrorists. Source : PrNigeria
Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that the military has secured the Kaduna bound train from Abuja trapped by terrorists. The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas. Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made to the area to secure the passengers on board. Efforts are ongoing to convey the passengers from the location and others that sustained injuries have been rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention.
MNJTF Commander Attends African Land Forces Summit in America. Source : PRNigeria
The Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (FC MNJTF) Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim attended the African Land Forces Summit in Columbus Georgia on the invitation of the United States Army from 21 to 25 Mar 22. The Summit had the theme “Resilient Institutions Build Resilient Leaders”. The summit was attended by delegates from over forty (40) mainly African countries and other organizations like the United Nations and the African Union. Other non-African countries that attended include Brazil, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The summit started with opening remarks from Maj Gen Andrew M Rohling, the Commanding General United States Army Southern European Task Force Africa and Ms Chidi Blyden, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs.
Train Attack: Bombard Terrorists’ Enclaves, Senate Charges Military. Source: Daily Trust
The Senate has called on the Army and Air Force to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country. The call was made on Tuesday amid resolutions reached, following a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.” The point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central). The lawmaker, noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.
BRAVEIT Applauds Military Gains Against Terrorists And Criminal Elements. Source: North East Star
Dr. Muhammad Sani, National Coordinator, Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism, Insurgency and Terrorism (BRAVEIT), in a press release, applauds the impressive strides Nigerian Military have so far made in the ongoing war against Boko Haram and Islamic West Africa Province (ISWAP). The string of successive victories the federal forces have recorded over the insurgents, in conjunction with their sub-regional allies from Cameroon, Niger and Chad, is proof of the effectiveness of the new stratagem to the conflict and seems to have radically transformed the symmetry of the raging war in the north-east. Dr. Muhammad however bemoans the wanton spate of violent attacks and heinous crimes orchestrated and perpetrated by terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, pirates, ritualists, oil vandals, and militia groups, among other criminal elements.
Zulum Addresses Multinationals As UK Hosts Conference On Boko Haram/ISWAP Surrender . Source: North East Star
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday addressed multinationals from Lake Chad countries, and development partners from the UK and other countries, during an ongoing conference being hosted by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. The conference, tagged “Lake Chad Basin: Key Steps Towards Comprehensive Regional Solutions” with a focus on how to effectively manage mass surrenders by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters through Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), is taking place at Wilton Park, located at Winston House in Sussex, United Kingdom. The conference has participants drawn from the military, managers of violent extremist groups, political leaders, the academia, humanitarian and development partners, diplomats, communication persons, and post-conflict management experts from the UK and other developed countries as well as countries in Lake Chad: Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
Peace and Security
What Message Are Terrorists Sending By Invading Kaduna Airport?. Source: Humangle
Terrorists reportedly invaded the Kaduna airport on Saturday, March 26, 2022, killing one person and preventing a plane from taking off, a move that indicates even travel by air is no longer safe in the northwestern Nigerian State. The aircraft was scheduled for Lagos, Southwest Nigeria by 12:30 p.m. (WAT) when a gang of up to 200 terrorists flooded the runway. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) later confirmed the attack to be on the runway 05 axis of the airport. It also added that “a combined team of anti-banditry military personnel and the Crime Investigation Unit of FAAN Aviation Security Department swiftly intervened for a rescue operation with one casualty reported in the incident.” Two motorbikes abandoned by the terrorists were said to have been recovered. Also, a security guard patrolling the runway was shot, which drew the attention of soldiers who responded.
Humanitarian
Stabilization and economic development
Great Green Wall: A Glance At Nigeria’s Line Of Defence Against The Sahara. Source : Humangle
Nigeria’s struggle to improve rural livelihood and living conditions include a project to put together a green wall of trees designed to halt desertification and the risks related to the drifting of the Sahara Desert in the North of the country. In 2014, the government commenced the Great Green Wall project comprising a 1,500km long greenbelt stretching across the 11 frontline states of Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara in the Northwest and Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe in the Northeast. The project is part of the ambitious African Union-led Great Green Wall initiative that aims to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes, revitalise thousands of communities, boost food security, and strengthen climate resilience. Last year, at a side event of the Climate Change Summit, COP 26 on the Great Green Wall, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari expressed hope regarding the project’s execution. He was quoted to have said, “With all hands-on deck and concerted efforts at land restoration by African leaders, I am optimistic that Africa’s ambition of restoring over 100 million hectares of the degraded landscape for productive agriculture is achievable.”
