Regional News
Terrorists attack Kaduna community, kidnap 10 students – Official. Source: Premium Times
The Kaduna State Government says it has received preliminary reports from security agencies on the kidnapping of about 10 students in Kachia Local Government Area. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna. Mr Aruwan said that according to preliminary reports, about 10 students of Government Secondary School, Awon (a day secondary school) were kidnapped on Monday.
Insecurity: Nigeria recorded highest rating against terrorism in 11 yrs – COAS. Source: Blue Print
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. – General Farouk Yahaya, said Nigeria has recorded its highest rating against terrorism since 2011. General Yahaya stated this Monday at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff first quarter conference in Abuja. The army chief attributed the success to synergy among the services and deployment of well trained personnel and special equipment.
Cameroon Defence Ministry Urged to Explain Death of University Student. Source: Humangle
Lawyers acting for a university student who died in the custody of Cameroon’s military intelligence are calling for the government to create an independent commission to investigate the death. The body of Ngule Linus was taken by plainclothes officers to a hospital in Buea, Southwest Cameroon, hours after he and a friend were arrested, the lawyers say. Mboh Jeres, arrested with Linus at their university hostel, remains in detention. No one knows for sure where he is, or his state of health.
Three Cameroonians Wounded In Terrorist Attack. Source: Humangle
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Amchide and Kolofata in Cameroon during the early hours of Saturday, leaving three persons wounded. Two of those wounded were shot, while the third person suffered a machete attack. Sources say they also made away with kitchen utensils, clothes, and three telephones, amongst other items in the Yaboga neighbourhood. This is the third attack within two weeks in the locality. On March 21, at least one member of the Cameroonian forces died, and several others got injured in a landmine explosion between Amchide and Kolofata. Another attack occurred on March 18.
Terrorists abduct female university students in fresh attack in Zamfara. Premium Times
Two female students of the Federal University, Gusau, in Zamfara State were abducted by terrorists who attacked hostels used by students staying off campus in the Sabon Gida area of the state’s capital on Sunday morning. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the two students, whose names were only given as Maryam and Zainab, were abducted around 01:42 AM.
Nigerian soldiers battle terrorists, kill 11 – Official. Source: Premium Times
The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Whirl Punch in conjunction with Special Forces have neutralised 11 terrorists in an encounter in Kaduna. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Terrorists abduct female university students in fresh attack in Zamfara. Source: Premium Times
Two female students of the Federal University, Gusau, in Zamfara State were abducted by terrorists who attacked hostels used by students staying off campus in the Sabon Gida area of the state’s capital on Sunday morning. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the two students, whose names were only given as Maryam and Zainab, were abducted around 01:42 a.m.
Military Troops Raid Eight Terrorist Camps in Kaduna, Kill 11. Source: PRNigeria
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in conjuction with Defence Headquaters Special Forces on 1 April 2023 conducted clearance operations to terrorist’ enclaves at BAGOMA, REMA, BILUGAI, DAGARA, SABON LAYI, GAGUMI, KATAKAKI and RANDAGI villages all in BIRNIN GWARI Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Troops made contact with terrorsts at KAKANGI and KATAKAKI villages and engaged the terrorist with superior fire power. Troops neutralized eleven (11) terrorsts while others fled. Troops exploited the general area and recovered two (2) AK 47 rifles, two (2) AK 47 magazines, fifty-seven (57) rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, seven (7) matchets and six (6) motorcycles among other sundry items.
Troops neutralize Scores of Bandits during intense battle in Birnin Gwari LGA. Source: PRNigeria
Troops and Special Forces of the Nigerian Army have neutralized 11 bandits in a fierce battle which took place during fighting patrols in Birnin Gwari LGA. Operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government revealed that the troops advanced to several identified locations, and cleared bandit camps in Bagoma, Rema, Bugai, Dagara, Sabon Layi, Gagumi, Kakangi, Katakaki and Randagi.
In Ambush Operation, Nigerian Troops Kill 5 Terrorists at Kubusu Forest. Source: PRNigeria
Troops of Operation FOREST SANITY on 31 March 2023 conducted ambush operation at suspected bandit routes along Road KANTI – TANTATU in KUBUSU Forest in CHIKUN Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Troops made contact with terrorists. Following a fierce fire fight, troops neutralized five (5) terrorist while others fled with gunshot injuries. Troops exploited the general area and recovered four (4) AK 47 rifles, four (4) AK 47 magazines, twenty-two (22) rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and two (2) motorcycles among other sundry items.
Again, Troops Eliminate Bandits, Recover Weapons in Kaduna. Source: PRNigeria
In continuation of the onslaught against bandits and other criminal elements terrorizing the North Western part of the country, the troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army operating in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have conducted clearance operation along road Kanti-Tantatu in Kubusu forest and Kaso hills general area in Kaduna State to deprive bandits and criminals freedom of action so as to create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to strive.
Army repels ISWAP attack on Borno. Source: The Guardian
The Nigerian troops deployed in Mafa have repelled attack of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Ajiri Community in Borno State. It was reported that the failed attack was coordinated by the ISAP Commander, Abou Mohammed, in response to the killing of terrorists’ Commander and 41 other fighters. A counter-insurgency expert, in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed, yesterday in Maiduguri that the ISWAP meeting held at Kajeri Dogumba and Bula Yagana Aliye. He, however, vowed to revenge the massive killings of their colleagues.
Again, Troops Eliminate Bandits, Recover Weapons in Kaduna. Source: PRNigeria
In continuation of the onslaught against bandits and other criminal elements terrorizing the North Western part of the country, the troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army operating in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have conducted clearance operation along road Kanti-Tantatu in Kubusu forest and Kaso hills general area in Kaduna State to deprive bandits and criminals freedom of action so as to create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to strive.
After Heavy Gun Battle with Bandits, Nigerian Military Rescues 2,000 Cattle in Niger. Source: PRNigeria
Nigerian military troops have intercepted over 2,000 cows after a fierce gun battle with armed bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, PRNigeria reports. Before the interception, the bandits numbering over 500 from the Birnin-Gwari axis in Kaduna State in a convoy of about 100 motorcycles had raided several communities in Mariga.
Sahel region worst place for journalists in Africa right now, says report. Source: news24
One of the worst places to work as a journalist in Africa is the Sahel region where Islamic extremists are gaining ground while military governments take up civilian political spaces. The case of French reporter Olivier Dubois, who was released from captivity a fortnight ago after 711 days in Mali, casts a light on the grave situation. At least five journalists have been killed and another six have gone missing in the Sahel region. Coup leaders are suppressing media space while extremists are kidnapping journalists. Journalists in the Sahel region have come up with networks to counter disinformation and repression.
Turning Grief Into A War Cry: The Women On The Frontline Against Boko Haram. Source: Humangle
Though the war on terror in northeastern Nigeria is often pictured with a male face and baritone voice, a lot of women are also putting their lives on the line in the hopes of seeing peace return fully to the region. Since it erupted in 2009, the Boko Haram crisis has directly caused the death of at least 34,000 people and indirectly killed over 300,000 others. It has displaced millions of people, including over 343,000 Nigerians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. What’s more, it has pushed over 8.4 million people into extreme lack and a life of dependency in the northeastern region.
Peace and Security
Minister urges international community to support Nigeria’s quest to revive Lake Chad. Source: Premium Times
The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has urged the international community to fully support Nigeria’s quest to save Lake Chad from extinction and revive its potential. Mr Adamu, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, said it was important to lend his voice to President Muhammadu Buhari’s call to revive Lake Chad. Mr Adamu was in New York to attend the just-concluded 2023 UN Water Conference.
US money hasn’t successfully ensured peace and security in Africa. Source: news24
Although the US can’t be held responsible for ongoing conflicts in Africa, the fact that many of the disputes in which it offered financial and logistical support for peacekeeping are ongoing, indicates that its efforts have been far from successful. Following the inaugural US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2014, the US provided an estimated R43.5 billion (about US$2.4 million) to the Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mali, Somalia and South Sudan, according to figures from a 2014 US Peace and Security report.
Nigeria Listed Among Countries Least Able To Deal With Environmental Disaster. Source: Humangle
Nigeria is among the ten countries in the world least able to deal with looming environmental disasters like increased flooding, drought and extreme hot weather, international humanitarian organisations say. Nigeria joins countries like Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Yemen, because “political tensions and widespread conflict have contributed to the country’s fragility, making it difficult to respond to climate disasters,” the organisations that drew up the list say.
Nigeria Risks Another Civil War if Tinubu is Not Sworn in, Jimoh Ibrahim Writes UN Council, Others. Source: PRNigeria
Nigeria Risks Another Civil War if Tinubu is Not Sworn in, Jimoh Ibrahim Writes UN Council, Others. Oil magnate, Jimoh Ibrahim, has raised the alarm of another civil war in the country, PRNigeria. According to him, Nigeria will be consumed by a bloody civil war, if Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect, is not inaugurated on May 29, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. His words: “A constitutional breach sounds incredibly anarchical if President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, is not sworn in on May 29, 2023”.
DHQ Clarifies Movement of Military Fighting Trucks in Nigeria. Source: PRNigeria
The Defence Headquarters wishes to react to some social media video clips being circulated arising from the presence of some United Nations Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo state. This has resulted in insinuations that are inimical to public peace and may even cause panic. The Defence Headquarters hereby state that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various United Nations Peace keeping operations, the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan.
Israel ready to support Nigeria develop technologies in fighting climate change – Envoy. Source: Premium Times
Michael Freeman, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria has reassured of the country’s commitment to support Nigeria develop applicable technologies to boost her fight against climate change. Mr Freeman, also Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, against the backdrop of the awareness campaign on importance of “Earth Day,” celebrated globally on April 22, every year. The envoy in his lecture titled: “Save the planet with innovation; an opinion piece for delegations for Earth Day” warned against failure by governments at all levels to mitigate the impact of climate change.
What Nigeria, other Sahel countries can learn from Niger’s counter-terrorism approach. Source: Premium Times
On 10 February, Niger suffered one of its deadliest attacks when gunmen with suspected links to violent extremist groups ambushed a military convoy in Banibangou, a community in the Tillabéri region. Seventeen soldiers died and 13 were injured, ending months of relative calm in the area. Violence had diminished as a result of two special operations conducted in northern Tillabéri between July and October 2022 by Niger with reinforcements from 250 French troops. Codenamed Almahaou (whirlwind in Zarma) and Niya (will in Hausa), the offensives targeted groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. The February attack highlights the limits of such operations and lends credence to the country’s use of dialogue as a key part of its counter-terrorism strategy.
B/Haram: Landmines Kill 755 Civilians, Injure 1,321 In 6 Years. Source: Daily Trust
The United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS) in collaboration with the Centre for Social Cohesion Peace and Empowerment (CENSCOPE) and other partners said 755 people have been killed by landmine over the last six years in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. It urged the federal governments to expedite action to establish the Centre for Humanitarian Mine Action to enable the body coordinates its activities in the country. Humanitarian Mine Action Centre.
Fears as killings, kidnapping escalate in Kaduna, Kogi, Kano, Niger. Source: Blue Print
A sudden surge in security concerns recently came to limelight in Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Delta and Osun states with killings and kidnapping dominating the affected states. In Kaduna for instance, the state government confirmed the abduction of eight students of Government Day Secondary School, Awon and other residents in Kachia local government area by gunmen suspected to be bandits. Providing an update in a statement Tuesday, Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan, said detailed report received by the state government on kidnapping from security agencies in the state, indicated that the students were abducted on their way home from school after they encountered bandits, who had just kidnapped some residents of the community.
Humanitarian
Nigerians Should Brace For More Flooding In 2023, Say Government. Source: Humangle
As the rainy season begins in Nigeria, there is a significant risk of heavy flooding across the country’s 36 states and the capital territory. This will hit communities hard, as they are still recovering from last year’s floods. The warning comes as vulnerable communities are still recovering from an unprecedented flooding last year. In 2022 at least 600 people died and thousands of homes and farms were submerged across the country.
Violence against women has economic cost, says WARDC. Source: The Guardian
The Iyalode of Yorubaland and Egbaland, Alaba Lawson, has said that gender-based violence is not only devastating for survivors and their families but also has significant social and economic costs. Speaking at the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Strategy Meeting with Council of Iyalodes on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Lagos, recently, Lawson stated that in some countries, violence against women cost up to 3.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), more than double what most governments spend on education.
NGO In Northeast Nigeria Introduces Teenage Girls To The Digital Space. Source: Humangle
An NGO in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria, the Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre (GEPaDC), is making strides in bridging the gender gap in the digital space by empowering young girls with ICT knowledge. Supported by the Global Fund For Women, the organisation selected 40 girls from two schools in Borno state and coached them on leveraging the digital space to advance their careers and compete favourably with their male counterparts.
Concerns After Human Rights Commission Say Ex-Boko Haram ‘Exonerated’ Soldiers Of Abortion Charges. Source: Humangle
Questions are being raised about the way Nigeria’s top human rights organisation is administering a panel set up to examine accusations the military ran a secret programme forcing women to abort pregnancies conceived during their captivity with Boko Haram. The investigative panel probing an alleged mass abortion programme by the country’s military held a private hearing where three former Boko Haram fighters gave testimony. The National Human Rights Commission released a statement saying the men had “exonerated” soldiers.
