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Press Review

Weekly Press Review : From Monday 27th to Friday 31th March, 2023

31 March 2023
Reading time: 8 minutes

Regional News

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Policemen On Counter-Terrorism Operation In North-East Yet To Receive Allowances For Three Months. Source: Sahara Reporters

Some Nigerian police personnel on counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria have lamented the non-payment of their duty allowances. SaharaReporters gathered that the officers are being owed various allowances, besides the complaints that the force management has been unable to improve their welfare and appropriately motivate them for enhanced performance. Joint security forces comprising mobile police and the military were posted to the region to fight against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) fighters and bandits.

Chad’s president signs pardon for 380 rebels sentenced to life in prison. Source: rfi

A group of 380 rebels handed life sentences over the 2021 death of former ruler Idriss Deby Itno have been pardoned, a statement from the president’s office said Saturday. More than 400 rebels had been sentenced Tuesday following a mass trial for “acts of terrorism, mercenarism, recruitment of child soldiers and assaulting the head of state”. The trial had opened last month behind closed doors at Klessoum prison, 20 kilometres southeast of the capital N’djamena.

Burkina Faso suspends France 24 broadcasts in the country after al Qaeda interview. Source: news24

Burkina Faso’s military government on Monday suspended France 24 broadcasts in the country after the TV station aired an interview with the head of al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM. Relations between Paris and Ouagadougou have deteriorated sharply since Burkina Faso’s military seized power in a coup last October.

How DSS Operatives Nabbed ex-Army Colonel, Lawyer, Others for Criminal Activities. Source: PRNigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it carried out a joint operation with sister security agencies in Kogi State on 26th March, 2023. During the operation, the security team intercepted a six man criminal gang at Gegu Beki, along the Lokoja-Abuja Road.

Nigerian Military Invade Mukdolo, Kill Terrorists Who Massacred Fishermen. Source: Humangle

Dozens of Boko Haram terrorists believed to be responsible for the Mar.10 massacre of 32 fishermen of Dikwa were killed on Saturday in a raid by Nigerian troops. Multiple sources familiar with the incident said troops who had been trailing the deadly terrorists finally raided their hideout around Mukdolo river in Gamboru Ngala local government area of Borno state, Northeast Nigeria on March 25th. HumAngle reported how 32 fishermen in Dikwa were killed in cold blood while fishing on the Mukdolo river in Gamboru-Ngala local government area. The incident was the single most enormous onslaught on the displaced civilian population in recent times after the November 2021 massacre of Zabarmari farmers.

Terrorists Abduct Government Official In Northwest Nigeria. Source: Humangle

Terrorists kidnapped Ibrahim Ma’aje, a special adviser to Governor Muhammad Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, yesterday, March 25. Ma’aje, who is Special Adviser on Political Matters and Inter-party Relations, was taken in Mareri community of Gusau, the northwestern state’s capital at about 2:30 a.m. Mareri came under the gang’s attack after the terrorists invaded the area on about 11 motorcycles carrying two riders each.

Anarchy: DSS Strongly Warns Political Players against Igniting Violence. Source: PRNigeria

The Department of State Service (DSS), again, alerts the public of plans to violently disrupt peace in the country. The Service hereby warns those desperate to cause a breakdown of law and order to desist from that. It would be recalled that the Service had earlier advised political players to abide by the rules of engagement as well as approach the courts for redress, if and where there are suspicions of infractions on extant electoral laws. It is evident that some aggrieved politicians are already taking advantage of this legal process.

REGRET: Ex-ISWAP/Boko Haram Members Seek Forgiveness from Nigerians. Source: PRNigeria

Some ex-insurgents who completed a deradicalisation programme have begged Nigerians for forgiveness for the roles they played in destabilising communities in the country. The ex-insurgents, numbering 594, had completed a six-month De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State. They tendered the apology during their graduation ceremony with took place at Malam Sidi camp run by the Nigerian Army, under Operation Safe Corridor.

Over 590 ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram Terrorists Graduate From Nigerian Rehabilitation Programme, Apologise For Killings. Source: Sahara Reporters

About 594 rehabilitated Boko Haram members have graduated from the Nigerian government’s Operation Safe Corridor’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration camp in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State. The DRR programme was established by the Nigerian government in 2015 to deradicalise and reintegrate the ex-Boko Haram fighters into society. Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the camp Commandant, Col. Uche Nnabuihe, said, “Fifteen clients hail from Adamawa, 495 from Borno, 16 from Yobe, 16 from Kano, three from Gombe, 13 from Kaduna, one from Kogi, 12 from Bauchi, five from Jigawa, five from Katsina, four from Kebbi, one from Nasarawa, one from Plateau, while two are from Zamfara states.”

Suspected Terrorists Reportedly Kidnap 56 Residents In Niger Community, Demand N200 Million Ransom. Source: Sahara Reporters

Suspected terrorists have reportedly kidnapped no fewer than 56 people during a fresh attack on Adara town in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger state, north central Nigeria. The attack occurred in the middle of March, while residents of the community and its environs were mourning the death of Rev Fr Isaac Achi, who was brutally murdered by suspected assassins in the state in January. According to residents of the community who shared the incident on their social media pages, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N200 million in order to release the abducted residents.

Peace and Security

Do those seeking peace in Chad need to prepare for war? Source: Premium Times

After the death of President Idriss Déby in April 2021, Chad started a transition process in which interim authorities committed to reconciliation and peace. But slow progress and an increased focus on military and security cooperation with external actors cast doubt on whether this commitment is genuine. It also hampers the possibility of ending the military’s dominance – a feature in Chad since the first military coup in 1975. The initial 18-month transition period was extended to 24 months following the Inclusive and Sovereign National Dialogue (DNIS) in October 2022. Reconciliation remains incomplete and precarious, despite the DNIS and the Doha agreement between the transitional government and rebel movements signed in August 2022.

Human Rights Abuses, Killing Of Protesters Worsen In Nigeria, Other African Nations – Amnesty International Report. Source: Sahara Reporters

Amnesty International (AI) has released its 2022 annual report, highlighting the effects of conflicts in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa while blaming the failure of leadership and global organisations. The report on Monday stated that in Africa, journalists, human rights defenders and political opposition faced repression, including in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

DSS Confirms Agitations for Interim Government by Treasonable Elements. Source: PRNigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria. The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

Humanitarian

Hunger, Rights Abuses Increasing In Nigeria, Other African Nations – AI. Source: Daily Trust

Amnesty International (AI) on Monday released its 2022 annual report, highlighting the effects of conflicts in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa while blaming the failure of leadership and global organisations. The report stated that in Africa, journalists, human rights defenders and political opposition faced repression, including in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

Meningitis Kills 52 In 21 States. Source: Daily Trust

Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) killed 52 persons in 21 states between last year and the 5th of March, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said. In a situation report released yesterday, the NCDC said  as of March 5, a total of 628 suspected cases including 52 deaths (CFR 8.3%) were reported from 21 states in 2022/2023 CSM seasons.

Where Do You Run To?: A Tale Of Unequal Access To Aid For Adamawa’s IDP

The decade-long insurgency that originated in Borno has spilled over to communities in neighbouring Adamawa, where many also fled their homes to reside in camps. While the poor living conditions of these people are glaring, there has not been equal access to aid and humanitarian support for them compared to their Borno counterparts. Why?

The Blind Woman Who Escaped Terrorists In Southern Kaduna. Source: Humangle

When Ladi Damisa lost her sight years ago, she never expected she would one day be forced to leave her home. She did so fleeing terrorists, running from her house on foot.

Lassa Fever: Nigeria records 784 confirmed cases, 142 deaths in three months. Source: Premium Times

The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control and Prevention (NCDC) says in less than three months, the country has registered 784 confirmed cases of Lassa fever with 142 deaths across 23 states. The NCDC via its official website said on Tuesday that the infections were recorded from 1 January till date. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus.

Stabilization and economic development

Women in Agriculture: My struggle with land, funding, other issues — Samanptha Okoligbo. Source: Premium Times

In this Interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Samanptha Okoligbo, a young farmer, speaks about her struggles as a woman in the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

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