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Tag: ISWAP

  • Obi praises Zulum’s dedication, laments growing insecurity in Borno.

    Obi praises Zulum’s dedication, laments growing insecurity in Borno.

    The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party,  Mr Peter Obi has decried the  rising insecurity in Borno, lauding Gov. Babagana Zulum for his commitment in handling the challenge.

    Obi, a former governor of Anambra, in his X handle on Tuesday, said that the security situation in the Marte area of the state is unsettling and called  for emergency action.

    According to him,  the apparent commitment of   Zulum, who had courageously relocated to the troubled area is  laudable.

    “The security situation in Borno state  is concerning and very unsettling.

    “What is happening in the Marte area of the state is not just a local emergency; it is a national alarm bell that must not be ignored.

    “Zulum, by choosing to spend the night in a town under threat, has once again, demonstrated what leadership should look like; present, proactive, and people-centred.

    “His courage is not for commendation alone; it is a challenge to those in authority to match words with decisive action,” he said.

    Obi said everything possible must be done to  support the state and  prevent an entire local government from falling into the hands of terrorists.

    He revealed that over 300 communities are  exposed, while more than 20,000 of them  were displaced yet again.

    He explained that these were not just numbers, they are families, children, and communities whose hopes are hanging by a thread.

    He said that Zulum had raised critical concerns that insurgents were regrouping around Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills; that Marte is on the verge of collapsing and that the window for action is closing.

    “These are facts. And it is not enough to acknowledge them; we must respond with urgency and sincerity.

    “We cannot afford to continue this culture of delayed response and distant governance.

    “Our security forces need reinforcements, our displaced citizens need protection, We  must show the will to act swiftly and consistently.

    “I have always maintained that Nigeria works best when leadership is driven by compassion, competence and courage.  and Zulum had shown  all three,”  he added.

    He stressed that this is not about politics, but  the people, and about protecting the soul of our nation. 

  • Sub-Sahara Africa dominates global terrorism related deaths

    Sub-Sahara Africa dominates global terrorism related deaths

    Despite the best of effort of the leaders to curtail the trend, Sub-Sahara Africa now accounts for nearly 59 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths globally.

    This grim reality was revealed on Tuesday by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Muhammed during a UN Security Council meeting on the maintenance of international peace and security.

    Discussing under the theme, “African-led and development-focused counter-terrorism: strengthening African leadership and implementation of counter-terrorism initiatives.”

    According to Muhammed, for three years, terrorism related deaths have soared past 6000 making up more than half of all global fertilities.

    She said Burkina Faso now leads the world in terrorism deaths with a staggering 68 per cent increase, and with little support to reverse the trend.

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    “Africa has tragically remained the epicenter of global terrorism. In all its forms and manifestations, terrorism is the most significant threat to peace, security and sustainable development across the continent today.”

    On her part, the impact of terrorism on women and families is particularly devastating.

    Muhammed noted that terrorists frequently exploit and brutalise women through sexual and gender-based violence, including forced marriages and abductions, causing profound trauma that reverberates through entire communities.

    She said terrorist networks are now pooling resources, finances, fighters and expertise, while sharpening their capabilities of new technologies, including unmanned aerial systems.

    “Countering terrorism must continue to innovate with an approach that holds the respect for human rights and the rule of law at its core and an outcome that addresses the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism.

    “African member states, with the full backing of the international community must forge cohesive and conducted responses grounded in humanitarian development peace nexus and aligned with the guiding principles of the global counter terrorism strategy.”

    READ ALSO: Nigerien leader, Abduorahamane Tchiani accuses France of funding insecurity in Northern Nigeria; says Tinubu, Rufa’i, Ribadu are aware

    She said the pact for the future, agreed in September 2024 by UN member states gives a renewed momentum to global efforts against terrorism, adding that now is the time to implement promises made in the pact with determined action.

    Muhammed highlighted three priority areas with the first being the need to continually address the drivers of terrorism.

    She said terrorism thrives on fragility and feeds off poverty, inequality, and disillusionment.

    “When financing development regresses, when fragile institutions are matched with weak governance, and when women and youth are excluded from decision making, when public services are scarce or unequal, these conditions create fertile ground for radicalisation and recruitment.

    “Building inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies must be our goal and we have a road map to get there. The 2030 agenda, and in Africa, the 2063 agenda need to be implemented.

    She noted that human rights based approaches to counter terrorism grounded in accountable and inclusive institutions were needed.

    Muhammed further said regional cooperation was the linchpin of any effective counter terrorism strategy, adding that fragmenting efforts would serve perpetrators.

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    “Our responses must be united, coherent and urgent, focused on fostering dialog, trust and coordinated action.

    “The African Union and its counterterrorism center have a leading role to play, but we must go further.

    “Above all, we must ensure that regional efforts are in lock step, unified in purpose and aligned with the strategy.

    “This is the only way we believe that we can ensure phasing down the threat of terrorism together.

    “Ultimately, African led and African owned solutions must take the lead in tackling terrorism across the continent,” she said. 

  • ISWAP Attack Police Headquarters In Borno

    ISWAP Attack Police Headquarters In Borno

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of four policemen by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Friday in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai local government area of Borno State.

    Confirming the incident to our journalists on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahun Daso, said the bodies of the slain police officers have been recovered.

    Similarly, sources, according to Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, revealed that the terrorists disguised themselves and sneaked into the town at about 11 am on Friday and went straight to the police quarters in Gajiram town and opened fire, killing the four policemen.

    Makama added, “Sources said mobile policemen at the police quarters engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle, which prevented them from burning down the quarters.

    “It was learnt that when the troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ Joint Taskforce stormed the scene, the terrorists had fled.”

    Gajiram is located about 73 kilometers from Maiduguri, the restive capital of Borno State.