Regional News
Mali’s draft constitution marks major shift towards presidential regime. Source: rfi
Mali’s proposed new constitution will shift the balance of executive power from the parliament towards the president. Junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita received a draft of the proposed constitution this week. The document, which is a key part of the military’s bid to retain power until 2024, has not been made public. According to drafting commission chairman Professor Fousseyni Samaké, if the constitution is accepted, the president will determine the political line which the government will then turn into law. The president will no longer have the right to dissolve parliament.
Chad ruler Mahamat Idriss Deby to create unity government ‘in next few days’. Source: rfi
Chad’s ruler Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has said a “government of national union” would be created in the coming days to steer the course toward new elections following a forum on the country’s future. The government “will put its heart and soul into ensuring that the will of the Chadian people is fully upheld,” said Deby at ceremonies where he was appointed “transitional president” after the forum which ended on Saturday.
Nnamdi Kanu: Nigerian court drops charges against separatist Ipob leader. Source: BBC
Nigeria’s Appeal Court has dropped all charges against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu after ruling that he had been illegally arrested abroad. The court also ruled that his extradition had been illegal. The ruling by a panel of three judges is seen as a major blow to the government which had detained Mr Kanu on various treason and terrorism-related charges. He leads the banned indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) group. IPOB is campaigning for the creation of an independent state in south-eastern Nigeria.
IPOB, MASSOB jubilate as court quashes charges against Kanu. Source: The Guardian
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction and rendition of the Biafra nation agitator and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Striking out the charges against him, the court held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria in June 2021, thereby, making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful. In a judgment of the three-member panel read by the lead judge, Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, the criminal charges by the Federal Government against Kanu were voided and set aside.
Military kills 19 ISWAP terrorists in Borno. Source: Guardian
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) have neutralised 19 Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Ngala Council of Borno State. state capital. The terrorists were killed on October Tuesday after soldiers overcame an ambush during a patrol of Dikwa-Gambouru axis.
Police raid Bandits’ Hideouts, arrest Nine Recovers Ammunition in Zamfara. Source: Humangle
As Police arrests Eight (8) Bandits Informants, repels bandits attacks, recovers four (4) rifles, 250 rounds of Ak 47 live ammunition, Nine (9) rustled cows and a truck conveying drugs and food stuff meant for bandits operating in DANGULBI – MAGAMI General area.
Victims Of Damaturu Bombing Share Painful Experiences 7 Years On. Source: Humangle
Muslims were preparing to gather for the late afternoon prayer in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria, on Feb. 15, 2015, when an explosion echoed through the city with a quaking impact. The blast, a first of its kind since the Boko Haram insurgency erupted in the region six years earlier, occurred at the town’s main commercial motor park that doubles as a mini market. A female suicide bomber who pretended to be a traveller had blown herself up inside a vehicle waiting to be loaded. For the Damaturu incident, the official toll from the police said 10 persons were killed while 31 others got injured. The explosion, which came a few days after the police divisional office adjacent to the park was burnt, was blamed on Boko Haram terrorists, who had attacked the capital city several times already.
Terror Group Abduct District Head In Renewed Attacks In Northwest Nigeria. Source: Humangle
A terror group on Sunday, Oct. 9, abducted the district head of Iyaka village in Gummi Emirate in Nigeria’s volatile northwestern state of Zamfara, according to local witnesses. The district head, Marafa Danbaba, was abducted at about 1:45 p.m at his residence in Gummi Local Government Area after the village was invaded. According to local witnesses, the attackers dropped off their motorcycles in the bush before walking to the village and storming his residence. The security crisis in Zamfara has continued despite interventions from security forces. On Saturday, another attack occurred in the Masama-Mudi village in neighbouring Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
After Being Kidnapped By Terrorists In Zamfara, Aisha Returned Home To A Different Life. Source: Humangle
Held by terrorists in their camp for three weeks, Aisha was gang raped every night, but her return turned into a new beginning when she discovered she was pregnant. Now, she is forced to adjust to this new role.
Terrorists threaten to force kidnapped daughters of ex-Zamfara official into crime. Source: Premium Times
The terrorists holding two daughters and one domestic staff of the immediate former Accountant General of Zamfara State, Abubakar Bala – Furfuri have threatened turn them into criminals, who will be used to attract other targets of their criminal activities if their parent fails to pay the ransom they demanded. The terrorists’ message was contained in a 2:39 minutes video released Monday morning. The children, Zulaihat and Zainab and an unnamed domestic staff, have spent 128 days in captivity. They were abducted in June. In the video clip, the three ladies were seen clutching anti aircraft guns, AK 47, LMG and other firearms.
Airstrike kills terror kingpin, Ali Dogo, others in Kaduna raid – Report. Source: Premium Times
A notorious terrorist in Kaduna State, Ali Dogo, and scores of his fighters have reportedly been killed by a Nigerian Air Force’s strike in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna. The raid was reportedly carried out by the Air Component of Operation WHIRL Punch, last weekend. A security source told PRNigeria that Mr Dogo and accomplices fled Niger State to Giwa Local Government Area in Kaduna following intensified airstrikes on their former hideout. The terrorists were hiding at the residence of one Alhaji Gwarzo at Yadi in the Giwa council area before they were eliminated by the airstrikes.
Kaduna train attack: How I rejected terrorists’ marriage offer, victim narrates ordeal. Source: Blue Print
Commander of the terrorists who attacked the Kaduna train and kidnapped passengers threatened to marry one of their hostages, Lois Azurfa, if government failed to accede to their demands. However, Lois said she has forgiven her abductors. Lois, who was one of the 23 last batch hostages released by their captors to the Chief of Defence Staff ministerial action committee last week, said she rejected the marriage offer of the terrorists’ commander despite the threats and dangers attached to the offer.
Nigerian Soldier Arrested For Stealing, Selling Ammunition To Terrorists. Source: Sahara Reporters
A Nigerian soldier, Iorliam Emmanuel has been arrested for stealing and selling ammunition to Boko Haram terrorists. In a viral video, Emmanuel, said to have been attached to the 156 Task Force Battalion, codenamed “Operation Hadin Kai”, in Mainok, Borno state was disarmed, searched and found to be carrying ammunition
Chad ruler Mahamat Idriss Deby to create unity government ‘in next few days’. Source: rfi
Chad’s ruler Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has said a “government of national union” would be created in the coming days to steer the course toward new elections following a forum on the country’s future. The government “will put its heart and soul into ensuring that the will of the Chadian people is fully upheld,” said Deby at ceremonies where he was appointed “transitional president” after the forum, which ended on Saturday.
Chad’s prime minister resigns along with government. Source: news24
Chad’s prime minister resigned along with his government on Tuesday, a day after the country’s military leader announced the creation of a “government of national union” to chart the path to new elections. Albert Pahimi Padacke handed in his resignation at an audience with Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who on Monday was sworn in as “transitional president,” Deby’s office said. Deby, a 38-year-old five-star general, took the helm in April 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled for three decades, was killed during an operation against rebels. Padacke, 55, served for 18 months under the younger Deby.
NAF Aircraft Kill Terrorist Kingpin, Dogo, Scores of Foot Soldiers in Kaduna Forest Raid. Source: PRNigeria
A notorious bandit leader in Kaduna State, Ali Dogo, and 30 of his fighters have been neutralized, PRNigeria reports. It was learnt that Dogo, also known as Yellow, and his gang members, were neutralized by airstrikes undertaken by the Air Component of Operation WHIRL Punch, over the weekend. While confirming the bombardments of Yellow and his fighters, a defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the notorious bandit leader, and his terrorists had fled from Niger State to one Alhaji Gwarzo’s house at Yadi in Giwa Local Government Area for safety, following NAF aircrafts sustained bombardments on his location in Niger, recently.
Anti-Banditry: CP Kolo Tours Zamfara Flashpoints, Deploys Tactical Squad on Routes. Source: PRNigeria
The Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Command, CP Kolo Yusuf psc has patrolled the entire Gusau – Yandoto – Tsafe – Funtua Road for hands-on assessment of the security challenges, and personally supervised some strategic points where operational deployment of additional Police tactical squads were made to ensure the safety of travellers along the route. In the course of the patrol, the commissioner of Police also mapped out some salient and strategic locations along the road which were instantly fortified with the deployment of Police tactical operatives drawn from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), and Anti – Violence Squad of the Command.
Chibok Community Knocks FG Over Abducted Schoolgirls. Source: NortheastStarlive
https://northeaststarlive.com/chibok-community-knocks-fg-over-abducted-schoolgirls/
The Kibaku Area Development Association, also known as Chibok Community, on Wednesday raised the alarm over the neglect of the over 100 school girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in 2014. They said, “Since the mass abduction of 276 of their daughters in April 2014 wherein 57 escaped, 110 of them are still unaccounted for.” According to them, the release of the remaining Abuja – Kaduna train attack victims had shown clearly that the Federal Government had abandoned the Chibok community, including their children that were abducted in Chibok Girls Secondary School, Borno State. The National President of KADA, Dauda Iliya, said the matter of the abducted Chibok girls and the unending attacks on their communities were persisting.
Army Officers Reject Plan to convert Compulsory disengagement to Voluntary Retirement. Source: PRNigeria
Officers of the Nigerian army compulsorily retired by the authorities in 2016 have rejected an offer to convert their illegal disengagement to voluntary retirement. PRNigeria reported how 38 officers were compulsorily disengaged from the Nigerian Army in 2026 via announcement in the media even before they were eventually informed by text messages of their retirement.
Why we’ll not obey court order reinstating officer – Army. PRNigeria
The Nigerian Army has stated that it will not honour a court order to reinstate a colonel, Danladi Hassan, who was sacked in 2016. In a letter to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions dated 7 October, the army also said it will not pay the complainant his legal fees, salaries and allowances as directed by the court. Mr Hassan, who led troops to recapture Bulabulin and Damboa from Boko Haram in 2014, was compulsorily retired in 2016. He was retired alongside 37 other officers without strong reasons.
Security: 10, 000 police officers undergo training on digital skills. Source: Blue Print
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has said 10,000 police officers are currently undergoing training on digital skills. The IGP also said in view of the security situation in the country, the force had acquired drones as part of new technology to curb crimes and unmask criminal elements. IGP Baba spoke Wednesday while receiving a delegation of the International Certification for Digital Literacy (ICDL) Foundation, led by chairman, E-Tech Complete Solutions Ltd, Abdulakeem Usman Mustapha (SAN), at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. “Ten thousand police officers and men are undergoing training on technology. We also make several efforts to ensure that our officers and men are computer literate. We have computer school in Abeokuta and many of our officers are also undergoing training there.
Humanitarian
ASUU suspends eight-month strike. Source: The Guardian
The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has finally suspended the strike it embarked on since on February 14, 2022. ASUU ended the strike following intense negotiations with the government and the House of Representatives. The Guardian gathered that the decision to suspend the strike was taken at the end of ASUU National Executive Council meeting which was held at the ASUU secretariat in Abuja.
Floods: 500 dead, 90,000 homes damaged across Nigeria – Official. Source: Premium Times
At least 500 people have been killed in floods across Nigeria, an official has said. Some of the states where deaths from floods have been reported include Kogi, Jigawa, Kebbi and Bayelsa with about 31 states said to have experienced flooding in 2022. About 90,000 homes have also been partially or totally destroyed in the floods, the official said. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, made this known during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. “It is on record that over 1.4 million persons were displaced, with about 500 persons reported dead, 790,254 persons moved out of their locations, while 1,546 persons were injured,” he said.
Floods: Ex-security adviser urges Buhari to strip governors of ecological funds. Source: Premium Times
Muhammadu Buhari to stop releasing ecological funds to the governors. Mr Kpodoh said the recurrent destructive effects of floods across the country were enough evidence that ecological funds were being diverted by governors. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that data from the National Emergency Management Agency show that the death toll from flooding in the 2022 flood season has so far reached 500. Mr Kpodoh said in a statement in Yenagoa on Wednesday that the governors had “completely failed” to use ecological funds allocated to them for projects required to mitigate flood disasters in their domains.
FG raises concern as 19.4m Nigerians face hunger. Source: The Guardian
Federal Government has expressed concern over recent statistics by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), showing that 19.4 million Nigerians across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory are food insecure. he analysis carried out by FAO at the beginning of the year also revealed that two million children across the country suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed this in Abuja at a media briefing to kickstart the World Food Day celebration.
Catastrophic Floods Affect Over 1.4 Million People. Source: Humangle
The flooding that has resulted from months of heavy rainfall and releases from dam spillovers has affected over 1.4 million people and caused the destruction of about 90,000 homes, according to an official of Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Over 500 people are reported dead and 1546 people injured, officials said. More flooding is expected, officials said, as intense rain continues and the water from dam spillages moves downriver. The ministry gave the figures while announcing the enactment of a plan to respond to the crisis.
Death toll from Nigeria boat accident rises to 76. Source: rfi
The death toll from a boat accident in Nigeria’s south-eastern state of Anambra has risen to 76, with others still reported missing. A statement from the Nigerian presidency posted on Twitter said rescue teams on Sunday confirmed the higher death toll. The boat capsized on Friday in the Ogbaru area of Anambra state, one of the regions affected by deadly floods.
Water Released From Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam Causing Fresh Displacements In Northeast Nigeria – IOM. Source: Humangle
Flood water has forced nearly 40,000 more people from their homes in parts of Northeast Nigeria since September, and at least 100 have died or been injured, according to UN officials tracking the situation. In September, Cameroonian authorities opened overflow spillways at Lagdo Dam to ease the pressure on the dam from the rising reservoir. The releasing of water from the reservoir into the Benue river has worsened the flooding downriver, officials from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Floods from months of heavy downpours in the region had already displaced many people.
Almost four million people enslaved in Africa, mostly women and children – UN bodies. Source: news24
For every 1 000 people in Africa, 29 worked as forced labourers in 2021, and most of them were children and women. This is according to a new report by United Nations (UN) bodies the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as well as the organisation Walk Free.
Worsening Humanitarian Crises Hindering Efforts To End Child Marriages. Source: Humangle
Armed violence, conflict, poverty and climate-related shocks are blocking progress on progressive attempts to end the marriage of young girls to older men, Save The Children International (SCI) have said. In an analysis titled ‘Girl On The Frontline’ published to commemorate the annual International Day Of The Girl Child, the organisation found that girls living in a humanitarian crisis are 20 per cent more likely to be child brides than those born in peaceful areas. Abject poverty across West and Central Africa, as well as humanitarian crises, puts pressure on families to resort to marrying off female children very young, the report says. It is a story all too familiar across Northern Nigeria.
Stabilization and economic development
Dead Trees, No Water, Missing Money; The Truth Of Yobe’s “Great Green Wall” Source: Humangle
The Nigerian government is investing resources to build a corridor of trees in eleven states in the North to combat desertification and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. However, in the frontline northeastern state of Yobe, the ambitious afforestation initiative has been beset by a series of challenges. Since the flag off of the Nigerian section of the Great Green Wall project, authorities have been planting economic and forest trees to establish a 1,500KM long belt. The effort focuses on the worst affected states of Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Gombe in the Northeast and Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara in the Northwest. The initiative hopes to tackle desertification by restoring land, curbing the alarming rate of desertification, and expanding the Sahara desert. In Yobe, the State Government has also rolled out a tree planting initiative with similar land restoration targets, climate action, and the creation of jobs.
