Regional News
Nigerian Troops Kill 76 Suspected Terrorists, Arrest 235 Criminal Suspects In Two Weeks. Source: Sahara Reporters
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday said that a total of 76 suspected terrorists were killed during military operations while 235 people were arrested for various criminal offences between January 25 and February 9, 2023. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, disclosed this during a biweekly media briefing on Armed Forces of Nigeria’s Military Operations held at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Military Jets Bombard ISWAP Enclave, Kill 132 Terrorists. Source: PRNigeria
The troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the Country. In the past 2 weeks, both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted in the various theatres of operations, with significant results recorded. The brief will therefore cover operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the Country between the period of 26 January – 9 February 2023.
Defence Headquarters confirms killing of 81 terrorists in North. Source: The Guardian
Defence Headquarters, yesterday, confirmed killing of 81 terrorists across theatres of operations in the Northeast, North-Central and Northwest in the last two weeks. Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure at a bi-weekly news conference on operations of the armed forces in Abuja. He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai, operating in the Northeast, eliminated 56 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, arrested 26 and rescued 59 victims within the period.
Boko Haram “Slaughtering” People Every Friday In Remote Borno Community. Source: HumAngle
Grisly tales are emerging of how suspected members of Boko Haram are systematically killing people in a remote hilltop community in the Mandara Mountains Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, people collecting the stories say. In the past three months hundreds of people have been killed in the most brutal way, relatives of those murdered and people collecting their stories in Gwoza, the main town of the local government area, have told HumAngle. Multiple sources say the terrorists seize villagers from their homes and take them to a remote mountain village called Guduf Nagadiyo in Bubayagwa ward.
Counter-Terrorism: NHRC Panel in Maiduguri to Probe Human Rights violations. Source: PRNigeria
The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency operations in the North East (SIIP-NE) has arrived at Maiduguri for its assignment. The panel was constituted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) following allegations by a foreign media organisation against the military operation in North East. The panel Chairman, Justice Abdu Aboki led members of the panel to the Theatre Command Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, to solicit their cooperation in unraveling the truth in the allegations of rights violations against the Nigerian military.
Lavrov in Africa: Have Wagner mercenaries helped Mali’s fight against jihadists? Source: BBC
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has promised continued military support for Mali, which has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2012. Last year, Mali turned its back on former colonial power France favouring help from Russia instead. This is the foreign minister’s second visit to Africa in two weeks. Russia aims to shore up allies as the Ukraine war continues, but its involvement in West Africa pre-dates that and has been growing over time. Mr Lavrov, who is on a two-day trip to Mali, outlined Moscow’s ambition to provide military backing for governments across West Africa in the battle against Islamist militants.
Nigerian Military Kill “Scores Of Terrorists” Hiding In Zamfara Forest. Source: HumAngle
The Nigerian military have killed scores of people in an assault against terrorists hiding out in Danmarke Forest, Bukuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria. Gun battles have raged in the area overnight into Tuesday Feb. 8. HumAngle yesterday observed trucks filled with dead bodies at the military base in Gummi LGA. Residents of the local government had noticed the terror gang’s movement in the Danmarke area and reported it to military operatives.
Head of UN human rights mission expelled from Mali. Source: rfi
The head of the human rights division of the United Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has been declared persona non-grata by the Malian authorities. Guillaume Andali has been asked to leave the country by 7 February. The government accuses him of bias. “This measure comes after the destabilising and subversive actions of Mister Andali,” declared Mali’s Foreign Affairs ministry in a communique read on national television on Sunday 5 February. The Malian authorities claim that Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali, head of MINUSMA‘s human rights section, “selected frauds to be the representatives of Malian civil society while ignoring the authorities and national institutions”.
West African states to increase cooperation as jihadists move beyond Sahel. Source: rfi
West African coastal states are holding talks on boosting military cooperation against jihadist violence spilling over from the Sahel. This follows recent announcements that several international peacekeeping contingents are being withdrawn from Mali. Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo are confronting increased risks from Islamic State jihadists and Al Qaeda militants waging war over their northern borders in the Sahel. As part of the so-called Accra Initiative, representatives of coastal states on the Gulf of Guinea, the European Union and others met in the Ghanaian capital on Thursday for talks on security and intelligence cooperation.
Burkina Faso transitional leader denies diplomatic split from Paris. Source: rfi
Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s junta leader, said his country has not severed diplomatic ties with France, despite asking it to withdraw its forces, and denied Russian Wagner mercenaries were in the country. Paris recently recalled its ambassador to Burkina Faso after agreeing to demands from the ruling military junta to pull out its troops. In his first public comments since then, Captain Ibrahim Traore insisted Burkina had not broken ties with France –its former colonial power.
41 Killed as Terrorists, Outlawed Militia Clash in Katsina. Source: PRNigeria
On Wednesday, 1/02/2023 at about 2200hrs, terrorists in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, attacked the house of one Alhaji Muntari, at Unguwar Audu Gare, Kandarawa, Bakori LGA, and rustled fifty (50) cows and thirty (30) sheep. Subsequently, on Thursday, 2/02/2023, at about 10:00hrs, Yansakai outlawed group, from eleven (11) villages from Bakori LGA, regrouped and went after the terrorists with a view to recover the rustled domestic animals. They traced the footpath of the hoodlums to a location at Yargoje forest.
Buhari Orders Probe As Burkina Faso Army Personnel Kill 16 Nigerian Muslim Pilgrims Heading For Senegal. Source: Sahara Reporters
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso to engage with the Burkina Faso government to make sure that the killers of 16 Nigerian pilgrims in the country are appropriately sanctioned.
We ‘ve bought weapons with new naira notes – Terrorists’ leader. Source: Blue Print
Balleri is one of the most wanted terrorists’ leaders terrorising some areas of Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states as well as parts of Niger Republic. The bandits’ leader was shown in a video flaunting the newly redesigned naira notes, saying the new naira policy would only affect the poor, who have been left with the trouble of feeding themselves.
Burkina Faso probes alleged attack on Nigerian pilgrims. Source: news24
Burkina Faso has launched an investigation into the deaths of Nigerian Muslim pilgrims who were allegedly killed while travelling by bus to Senegal, foreign minister Olivia Rouamba said on Monday. Nigerian media reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had condemned the killing of Nigerian pilgrims who were travelling to Kaolack, Senegal. The incident had allegedly happened as the bus was passing through Burkina Faso.
Death toll in Katsina terrorists, vigilantes clash rises to 102. Source: Premium Times
Residents of the communities where members of vigilante groups were massacred by terrorists last Thursday have said the number of those killed had risen to 102 as of Sunday night. The terrorists ambushed members of local vigilante groups from Bakori Local Government of Katsina while they were chasing the terrorists to retrieve the livestock they rustled from their communities. Though the police claimed 41 people were killed, residents said the number of those actually killed in the ambush more than doubled the number given by the police.
3 Soldiers Wounded, 6 Others Killed In Benue Attack. Source: Daily Trust
Three soldiers have been wounded and six villagers killed by armed invaders in a fresh attack on Ikobi community in Apa LGA of Benue State. Sources earlier told our correspondent in Makurdi that a soldier was killed and two of his colleagues were seriously injured after an encounter with gunmen who invaded the rural community at the weekend.
Terrorists Release Captives After Ransom Paid In Northeast Nigeria. Source: HumAngle
Terrorists have released 11 people who have been held captive for 21 days in Borno northeast Nigeria after their community paid a ransom. The group of five children under 15 and six adults were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists from Malam Fatori in Abadam local government area at the beginning of January. It is understood that a three million naira ransom was paid for the release of the 11 people. The community collected the money for their release, they said.
In Southern Kaduna, Women And Children Sleep At A Hospital To Escape Terror. Source: HumAngle
Afraid for their lives, every night they seek shelter at Jennifer Etuh Specialist Hospital in Mallagun and return to their communities by dawn. But for how long will this continue? The 50-bed specialist hospital opened in July 2022. Built in Mallugun 1 in memory of Jennifer Ramatu Etuh, wife of Thomas Etuh, the founder of a successful business conglomerate involved in agriculture and finance.
Cameroon Makes Arrests In Case Of Murdered Journalist Martinez Zogo. Source: HumAngle
A week after the government announced an investigation into the murder of journalist Martinez Zogo, arrests have been made. But campaigners say they will not stop pressing for more investigations into other deaths and disappearances. Police investigating the murder of a Cameroonian journalist have arrested a prominent businessman and ally of the government. Amougou Belinga, the owner of a media company, and two others were detained in connection with the murder of journalist and regime critic Martinez Zogo. Zogo, Director of Amplitude FM was abducted on Jan 17, and his mutilated body found four days later on the outskirts of Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé. Zogo used his radio show to challenge alleged corrupt practices carried out by government and business figures.
New Theatre Commander Visits MNJTF. Source: PRNigeria
The newly appointed Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali paid a familiarization/operational visit to Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena Chad on Tuesday 7 February 2023. The TC was received by the Force Commander (FC) MNJTF Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim. After the traditional welcome courtesies, the TC was thereafter given an information/operational brief on MNJTF to acquaint him with the MNJTF operating environment as well as other issues connected to the MNJTF.
Peace and Security
Religion is not the driving force behind recruitment to jihadist groups says UN. Source: rfi
Poverty and the prospect of better-paid work, rather than ideology, are what fuel recruitment to jihadist and other violent groups in Africa, the United Nations said Tuesday. The conclusion casts doubt on conventional wisdom that religious doctrine is the main lure for joining groups like Boko Haram, al-Shabaab and the Al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM). The UN Development Programme (UNDP) in 2021 interviewed nearly 2,200 people across eight countries torn by jihadist or other violent groups – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan. The interviews included nearly 1,200 former members of extremist groups, of whom nearly 900 had joined voluntarily while the others had been coerced.
‘Lack of job opportunities’ drives Africa’s jihadists, UN report finds. Source: news24
Poverty and the prospect of better-paid work, rather than ideology, are what fuel recruitment to jihadist and other violent groups in Africa, the United Nations said on Tuesday. The conclusion casts doubt on conventional wisdom that religious doctrine is the main lure for joining groups like Boko Haram, al-Shabaab and the al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM).
Nigeria urgently needs to secure its borders. Source: Punch
A fresh directive by the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), through the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, that the Nigerian Immigration Service secure the country’s borders and make them impenetrable to illegal immigrants lays bare one of the loopholes in Nigeria’s security system. The President’s primary reason for the mandate, which is expected to start before the general elections and end after it, is to keep out those “who might want to come in and manipulate the election process or engage in other nefarious activities.” The distracted Buhari should ensure that the mandate is methodically implemented.
Q&A | African journalists in firing line amid repression, killings, unexplained deaths – media body. Source: news24
It’s been a bad and scary start to 2023 for journalists in Africa, with media repression, killings or unexplained deaths being reported in the first month of the year. This at a time when democracy and freedom of speech are hoping to make a comeback in many parts of the continent. Of the 26 African countries that are due to hold elections this year, only Benin has held its parliamentary polls.
Humanitarian
Aid workers and civilians killed in twin Burkina Faso attacks. Source: rfi
At least eight people, including aid workers, civilians and army auxiliaries, were killed in two attacks by suspected jihadists in central-eastern and northwestern Burkina Faso on Wednesday, according to reports. Two of the victims worked for Doctors Without Borders, which has suspended its activities in the area over safety concerns. Three civilians and three volunteers with the security forces died when a village in central-eastern Burkina Faso was attacked in the early morning, a local source said. The attack on the village of Bekoure, in Bittou district, lasted several hours, a resident told the French news agency AFP.
Two Aid Workers Killed in Burkina Faso. Source: HumAngle
Two employees of the Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) were killed in the early hours of Wednesday, Feb. 8, in northwestern Burkina Faso. According to the organisation, a “clearly identified” MSF vehicle carrying four of its workers was targeted by armed men and shot at, killing two of its employees while another two managed to escape. The two casualties were both from Burkina Faso. One of them was employed as a driver in July 2021 while the other, a logistics supervisor, was employed in June 2020.
MSF suspends some Burkina Faso operations after two medical staff killed in ambush. Source: news24
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended its operations in north-western Burkina Faso after two employees were killed in an ambush on their way to an assignment. On Wednesday morning, armed men opened fire on the passengers of an MSF-branded vehicle carrying a medical team of four on the road between Dédougou and Tougan.
UNICEF Says 4.3 Million Girls Are At Risk Of FGM In Nigeria. Source: North East Star
UNICEF says over 4.3 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation in 2023. The latest estimates conducted by the United Nations Agency projected that the number will reach 4.6 million by 2030. Giving reasons for the increase, the Agency revealed that conflict with climate change, rising poverty and inequality have continued to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin this harmful practice and disrupt programmes that help protect girls.
People Who Fled Borno Left Out Of Adamawa Resettlement Plan. Source: HumAngle
People who fled Borno to displacement camps in Adamawa state are at risk of being forgotten and left out of resettlement plans, it can be revealed. Authorities administering the camps in Adamawa expect the authorities in Borno to take responsibility for their indigenes who have been housed in camps across the state border in Adamawa, some for nearly a decade. But it is not clear that Borno has a plan to take them back. No official from Borno would speak to HumAngle on the subject, despite repeated attempts to contact them. A spokesman for the Borno State Government told HumAngle he did not realise there were people from Borno living in camps in Adamawa who had not been slated to return.
Mocked By Her Rapist: Vestiges of Violence: Episode 97. Source: HumAngle
Displaced people may have already lost far too much to the violence in northeastern Nigeria, their loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods, their sanity … but that doesn’t immune them from the schemings of sexual predators. Through the experiences of Hauwa, 14, and Adama, 22, we see how difficult it is to get justice for rape victims and how their lives change joylessly after their abuse.
The Molestation Of Minors; From A Mother’s Perspective. Source: HumAngle
Laman was forced to flee from Numan, Adamawa state, because of the stigma that followed the rape of her children. After a year, she returns to demand justice for the minors.
2023: Examining Nigeria Electoral Body’s Plan To Conduct Election In IDP Camps. Source: HumAngle
Voters from almost three-quarters of Borno’s Local Government Areas will cast their ballots in the forthcoming elections in some form of displaced people’s camp or polling station that is not their registered home. Voters in at least 19 of Borno’s 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) will vote in “resettlement” camps, set up to hold internally displaced people before they can be returned to their homes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s sole regulatory body for elections. This means it is still too insecure across some 70 per cent of the LGAs in Borno for them to hold elections in the voters’ original homes.
Displaced Children From Anglophone Cameroon Being Exploited Not Educated. Source: Humangle
Seven years into the crisis in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon, internally displaced children are providing cheap labour in host cities and watching their educational dreams being crushed. The UN’s humanitarian arm, OCHA, says over 200,000 children who left the Northwest and Southwest regions in order to continue their education are now not in school. A study conducted in Douala by the charity Street Child found only 31 per cent of internally displaced children were attending school regularly. The study also revealed most children surveyed were living on the street, in abandoned houses, under bridges, and some were in orphanages.
UN agencies apprehensive, urge action to end female genital mutilation by 2030. Source: The Guardian
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have called for urgent action at ensuring that the 2030 deadline to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is achieved. In a statement, yesterday, the two global agencies, which said no fewer than 4.3 million girls at risk of mutilation this year, warned that if urgent measures are not put in place, the figure could rise to 4.6 million by 2030.
Fire Guts IDP Camp In Maiduguri. Source: HumAngle
About 200 thatched huts that house internally displaced persons (IDPs) were, on Monday, Feb. 6, razed in another fire outbreak at Muna Alamdari IDP camp in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria. Local security sources at the camp said the fire started at about 11 a.m. when many of the camp’s residents were away in search of food in the neighbouring farms.
‘He Knew’: People With Disabilities Are More Vulnerable To Sexual Abuse. Source: HumAngle
Young people with disabilities are vulnerable to sexual predators. For Ifeoma, the impacts of her encounter with an abuser are still visible in her life, decades after the incident took place.
Meningitis outbreak in Niger kills 18. Source: news24
At least 18 people in southeastern Niger have died of meningitis in the past three months, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, warning that the outbreak could spread to other countries. Between 1 November and 27 January, 559 cases of the bacterial disease were reported in Niger’s Zinder region, including 111 that were confirmed in a laboratory to be meningitis, the WHO said. During the same period a year earlier, 231 cases were reported.
At least 9 dead in Burkina Faso mine collapse. Source: news24
At least nine people were killed when an artisanal gold mine collapsed in Burkina Faso’s western Tuy province on Tuesday, the head of the artisanal mining association for the province said. The mine caved in on Tuesday evening and rescue operations began around 20:00, Abass Dera told Reuters on Wednesday.
Stabilization and economic development
Niger Delta communities file damage claim against Shell in London court. Source: rfi
More than 11,000 Nigerians from the oil-producing Niger Delta have filed a compensation claim against energy giant Shell at the London High Court. It is the latest step in a case that will test whether multinationals can be held to account for the actions of overseas subsidiaries. In 2021, the UK Supreme Court allowed a group of 42,500 Nigerian farmers and fishermen to sue Shell in the English courts after years of oil spills had contaminated land and groundwater. The judges said at the time there was an arguable case that Shell – one of the world’s biggest energy companies – was responsible because it exercised significant control over its Nigeria subsidiary SPDC.
