Headlines

Dark Clouds Over Boko Haram Defeat

Published

9 years ago

January 11, 2017

Our Reporter

By Yahaya WAKILI, Maidugur

Sect Attacks From Mystery Positions, Behead 15 Hunters, Kill 6 Soldiers In Renewed Ambus

They Are Signs Of Desperation In Defeat – Army

The one biggest wish of Nigerians is perhaps the end to Boko Haram terrorism. And so, when the President, Muhammadu Buhari announced the total conquest of the terrorists, and
the Nigerian Army corroborated with the takeover of Sambisa forest, most Nigerians were in a celebration mood. But while the story of the takeover of Sambisa seems to stick, the claims of the defeat of the terrorist has some dark clouds of doubt. Hardly had the euphoria of the dual news of defeat and takeover
died, Nigerians were jolted to news of the resurgence of the group in a new location outside Sambisa. Apparently to prove a point, they took the battle to soldiers in their operational base at Rann, and recently killed fifteen hunters. The nation is once more at a labyrinth, Nigerians do not know whether to believe the Federal Government or the Boko Haram terrorists over the defeat or otherwise of Islamic sect. Like a scene from the theatre of the absurd, the Federal Government, vide the Nigerian Army insists that Boko Haram has been conquered and their strong hold in Sambisa taken over, while the insurgents in a recent video claim to still be around and even threatening to unleash more terror on Nigerians. Many Nigerians believe that, the Army was in a rash to celebrate their conquest, even though Boko Haram may have been seriously weakened. Analysts believe that it was rather presumptuous for the Federal Government to declare victory, even when the insurgents were still carrying out attacks on some soft targets, especially in Borno state. The Army may have dismissed the video in which Boko Haram leader, Ahmed Shekau faulted their claims of victory as a mere propaganda, but recent event point to the fact that it is not yet Uhuru, as far as the Boko Haram menace is concerned. So far, there have been four incidents since that declaration, with very heavy casualties. In one of the incidents, fifteen hunters were reportedly beheaded by the insurgents in Borno State, while six soldiers, including a Captain were killed in Buni, Yadi, Yobe state, as Boko Haram stages attacks from yet unknown locations.
Soldiers, in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, northeast, Nigerian state on Sunday confirmed that they lost an officer of the rank of Captain and five Soldiers to Boko Haram militants, who attacked the 27 Task Force Brigade located in Buni Yadi, one of the Boko Haram strong hold in that part of the state. While confirming the attack, Saturday, on military location in Buni Yadi, in Yobe state, the spokesman of 27 Task Force Brigade, Lt. George Okupe in a text message to newsmen said the attack was successfully repelled by the troops. According to Lt. Okupe “Buni Yadi came under attack at about 6:15 pm, but troops has successfully repel the attack. We cannot confirm casualty figure now but things are under control. Details will be made available to you as soon as we are done with all necessary clearance”. In the face of Shekau’s grandstanding and the attendant resurgence by Boko Haram, many Nigerians from the North East had to shelve the ideas of traversing for the yuletide. Others who managed to go home had to beat a hurried exit immediately after Christmas on the resurgence of attacks on the military in Rann and in Maiduguri. Although for the first time in several years, the yuletide was marked without the usual restriction of movements in the entire North East, the yuletide according to reports were devoid of the usual fanfare, no thanks to few
incidents that truncated the New Year mood in Maiduguri, which caused panic and sent people out rather unceremoniously. The Military has reassured of the safety of citizens even with the isolated incidents. And in the last few days, since the advent of the New year, the guns have remained silent and the bombs no longer exploding, but fear and anxiety still hangs in the air, knowing that in their usual manner, the terrorists may spring surprises from their new operational base. nationalTRAIL findings reveal that, the Military has taken full control of the hinterland, including the Sambisa forest, and a road is even being constructed in the heart of the forest to ease Military movement, but seem to have relaxed their cordons on major cities like Maiduguri, which gave many of the fleeing terrorists to penetrate. Many of the commanders of the sect are believed to have filtered into Maiduguri and are hibernating with accomplices; most have who have soft spots for them. As it is the Military has launched an internal search for those believed to be hiding within. Our correspondent reports that, the guns may be silent in the hinterland, but there are palpable fears within the towns that thousands of the insurgents may be the brains behind some recent incidents in Maiduguri in particular.

Headlines

BREAKING: Senate to Engage US Lawmakers Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Nigerian Senate is set to engage with US lawmakers following renewed debate on alleged targeted attacks against Christians in the country.

The controversy intensified after American TV host Bill Maher, on his HBO program, described the situation as a “silent genocide,” accusing Western media of downplaying mass killings by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militias. He cited claims that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and thousands of churches destroyed.

Maher’s remarks were echoed by Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who argued that the crisis had not received the international media attention it deserves.

Government Rejects Genocide Narrative
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as misleading and divisive. He emphasized that terrorist groups do not target Christians alone, insisting that Nigerians of all faiths—including Muslims and non-religious citizens—have suffered at the hands of violent extremists.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” Idris said.

Headlines

Nigeria @ 65: The Worst Is Over, We’ve Turned a New Corner — Tinubu

Published

1 week ago

October 1, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, assured citizens that the country has overcome its toughest challenges and is on the path to recovery.

Honouring the Founding Fathers

Tinubu paid tribute to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s independence leaders, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
“They believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the black race as the largest black nation on earth,” he said.

Journey So Far

Reflecting on six decades of nationhood, the President noted that Nigeria had endured a civil war, military dictatorships, and political crises but survived with “courage and grit.”
“At Independence, Nigeria had only 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education,” he said, adding that the country had made “remarkable progress” in healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and infrastructure.

Tough Reforms, Signs of Recovery

Tinubu said he inherited a fragile economy distorted by decades of poor policies but chose reform over inaction.
“Our administration ended the corrupt fuel subsidy regime and abolished multiple foreign exchange rates that enriched a few while impoverishing the majority,” he stated.
According to him, the measures are yielding results:

GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years.
Inflation fell to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years.
₦20 trillion was realised from non-oil revenue by August.
Debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 97% to below 50%.
Foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.
Oil output rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, while Nigeria refined petrol domestically for the first time in four decades.
The stock market surged from 55,000 points in May 2023 to 142,000 points by September 2025.

“The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to today’s relief,” the President declared.

Tackling Insecurity

Tinubu said security agencies were making gains against insurgency, separatism, and banditry.
“Hundreds of communities have been liberated, with thousands of displaced persons returning home. We salute the gallantry of our armed forces,” he said.

Investing in Youth

Describing young people as Nigeria’s “greatest asset,” Tinubu highlighted ongoing programmes:

NELFUND Student Loans: ₦99.5bn disbursed to 510,000 students.
Credicorp Loans: ₦30bn given to 153,000 Nigerians for solar, housing, transport, and digital devices.
YouthCred: Credit support extended to NYSC members.
iDICE Programme: Partnership with AfDB, AFD, and IsDB to boost innovation in digital and creative sectors.

Call for Collective Effort

Acknowledging that reforms have caused temporary hardship, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain steadfast.
“Our progress must not be measured by statistics alone, but by food on our tables, quality of education, electricity in our homes, and safety in our communities,” he said.

He called on citizens to embrace productivity, pay taxes, support local industries, and contribute to nation-building.
“The dawn of a new Nigeria is here — self-reliant, prosperous, and united. With God on our side, we will overcome. Let all hands be on deck,” he concluded.

Would you like me to compress this further into a shorter news report (around 6–7 tight paragraphs) for quick-read media, or keep it as a detailed feature-style recap like this one?

Headlines

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Published

3 weeks ago

September 17, 2025

Our Reporter

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.

The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.

Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.

Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.

Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.

A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.