Security Alert: United States Embassy Warns of Possible Terror Attack in Lagos State

The United States Mission in Nigeria advises that groups associated with terrorist activity might be planning attacks against hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors, including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-al-Fitr holidays (5 and 6 July 2016). 

Boko Haram Establishes Own FM Radio Station

Daily Trust newspaper reports that Boko Haram has established a radio FM station, according to a report monitored on the Hausa service of the Voice of America yesterday.

British Government Updates Travel Advice Across Nigeria

According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), about 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year. Sequel to this, the FCO recently updated its travel advise across Nigeria. The latest information updated on June 2, 2016, is remains current as at 6 June, 2016.

UPDATE: Democracy Day Bombing: Soldier, Four Others Killed As Powerful Explosion Hit Military Checkpoint in Biu, NE Nigeria

It has now been confiremed that the explosion from an improvied explosive device (IED) planted by near a military checkpoint at  Biu-Damboa road, outskirt of Borno State, killed a soldier and four civilians. A woman and her baby and two other male adults were amongst the dead. Preliminary investigation revealed that the IED was buried there a long time ago but remained undetected until a tricycle mistakenly stepped on it.

X-raying 'Critical Vulnerabilities' To Terrorism, Extremism in Africa

United States lawmakers examining the threat that terrorism poses in Africa on Tuesday expressed concern that the United States may be overlooking human rights and governance abuses by leaders in the region who provide assistance on counterterrorism issues.

Boko Haram Landmines Kill 5, Injure 9 Farmers in Yobe, Nigeria

The Nation newspaper reports that five  farmers have been killed and nine injured by Boko Haram landmines  in Yobe Goniri area of Gujba local government area in Yobe state.

President Obama Dispatches Samantha Power To Nigeria Over Boko Haram Growing Threat

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, will be in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the country.

Army General Escapes Boko Haram Ambush, Soldier Killed, 2 Others Injured

The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu and his convoy were about 8.30am, Tuesday, ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists during the general’s visit troops in Bama local government area of Borno state.

Nigeria Security Operatives Arrest Boko Haram Mastermind of UN Abuja Building Bomb Attack

Nigeria's Department of State Ser­vices (DSS) has arrested a dreaded commander of Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Usman, who is believed to have masterminded several acts of terror in different parts of Nigeria.

Over 800 Boko Haram Members Have Surrendered, 11,595 Captives Rescued, Says Nigerian Army

Information from the Nigerian Army indicates that the war against terrorism and insurgency is being won. Defence authorities reports that not less than 800 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had surrendered to the military in the last three weeks.

A Year After, No Word On 300 Children Abducted By Boko Haram From Damask

Apart from the abduction of 276 Chibok School girls nearly two years ago, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) asserts that ‘’about 400 women and children, including at least 300 elementary school students were also abducted by Boko Haram from the town of Damasak in Borno State between March 13 and 15, 2015’’. HRW recounts that the Damasak abduction is the largest documented school abduction by Boko Haram militants even though it drew less public attention and outrage than that of the Chibok girls in April 2014.

World Bank Votes $800m For Rebuilding North-East Nigeria

The World Bank is setting aside $800 million in support of the rebuilding of infrastructure devastated by years of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

Boko Haram Abduct 16 Women, Girls In Adamawa, NE Nigeria

No fewer than 16 female residents of Adamawa State were abducted Wednesday by suspected Boko Haram militants, the police and local officials said. Police said a team of officers had been deployed to the area to search for the abducted persons.

Boko Haram Leader - Abubakar Shekau Resurfaces in New Video

After over seven months of silence, self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau has resurfaced in a new propaganda video, saying he is alive and providing encouragement for his fighters who have been under heavy pressure from regional forces.

In the seven-minute video released on Thursday, a weak Abubakar Shekau appears in a military fatigue with a rifle resting on his left shoulder and said he wanted to thank his followers for their dedication.

What he said in both Hausa and Arabic roughly translates to: “I have done my part. This message is just to reassure you that I’m alive and actually the one speaking to you.”

Nigerian forces have continued to insist that the real Shekau has been killed about two years ago when troops raided one of the strongholds of the terror group.

Culled from: Daily Post Newspaper

US And UK Intelligence Knew The Location of 80 Abducted Chibok School Girls But No One Tried To Rescue Them

The United States and British governments knew where at least 80 of the Chibok school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram were but failed to launch a rescue mission, it has been revealed.

Despite 'Presidential Investigation', Marauding Fulani Herdsmen Hack 8 To Death in Benue State

Notwithstanding ongoing peace efforts been brokered by various stakeholders and an 'investigation' ordered by President Buhari to unravel the causes and to proffer solutions to the recent Agatu killings, Daily Post newspaper reports that no fewer than eight persons have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday in Logo local government area of the state.

President Buhari Clearly Overstated His Ability To Rein In Boko Haram

The Nigerian leader clearly overstated his ability to stop the Islamists, reports Alistair Dawber. The attack in the village of Dalori began when three female suicide bombers detonated their explosive belts in the name of Boko Haram.

Boko Haram Slaughter 86, Burn Children Alive in Recent Attack in Nigeria

At least 86 people, including a number of children, have been killed in a series of attacks on a village in north-eastern Nigeria, according to officials. 

Security Mapping: Guide To Threats, Crime And Terrorism Hotbeds In Nigeria (Part 3)

As I said in the introductory part of this essay, this project is aimed at mapping or collating salient risks, threats, safety concerns, crime, terrorism or violence extremism hotspots representative of Nigeria’s cities and 36 states of the country. This is the third tranche of this research. If you missed part one, read it here. Part two of the essay can also be found here. The current essay maps, collates threats, risks, crime and security hotspots or security, safety challenges inherent in South-South, popularly known as the Niger-Delta – comprising - Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states; the North-East – comprising - Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states and North-Central - Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Nigerian Government Set To Introduce Death Insurance For Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram

Leadership Newspaper reports that Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (Rtd), asserted on Friday that the Federal Government would introduce insurance package for soldiers fighting insurgency in the North-East.