UK Counterterrorism And Security Act 2015: The Role Of Schools

Schools now have a legal duty to prevent young people from being drawn to terrorism. Here are five key points every school leader needs to know about the new legislation.

The New Terrorism: How To Fight It And Defeat It

The fight against radical Islam and the global jihadist movement is the challenge of our time. Threats to our homeland are constantly increasing and our lack of real border security has only compounded the problem.

Why Terrorism Works: Mohammed Emwazi 'Jihadi John' And The Fear Premium

Mohammed Emwazi aka Jihadi John

It costs a lot to identify future threats

What’s it worth it to keep the world safe from “Jihadi John”? In theory, the vast economic resources and intelligence power of the West should make identifying, tracking and detaining a single, brutal terrorist worth the cost.

Terror Alert! Boko Haram Bent On Unleashing Suicide Bombers On Motorparks, Schools, Worship Centres, Markets etc

Security operatives have issued a security alert to Nigerians, urging them to be vigilant, as Boko Haram has resorted to the use of suicide bombers inside the cities, following its routing in communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

This is coming at a time when the spate of terror attacks by suicide bombers occurred in Kano, Bui and Jos last week. In the suicide bombers’ attacks, close to 50 people were killed.

In the last couple of weeks, the military, supported by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), had displaced Boko Haram from most of its operational bases in the North-East. In the military actions, hundreds of insurgents have been killed.

Alerting Nigerians on the use of suicide bombers in the cities, security agents say that Boko Haram members, in their bid to retaliate military offensive, has resorted to suicide bombings.

The military says the terrorists now use children and teenagers, especially female member, in the suicide attacks, warning that their plot is to attack motorparks, schools, worship centres and markets, among others.

According to the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigerians should be vigilant while in crowded areas.

A press release by the DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, said: “It has become evident that following the successful sustained air raids and intense combat operations by the military on insurgents’ positions in the North-East, which had effectively degraded the capacity of the terrorists, its members are now in disarray and have resorted to taking out their anger on hapless civilians and soft targets. This development accounts for the recent spate of attacks recorded in Yobe, Kano, Borno and Plateau states with the intent of distracting security forces.

“Accordingly, this Service wishes to advise members of the public to be vigilant, especially in crowded environment and when travelling. Commuters should desist from boarding unmarked vehicles along the road and only use designated motorparks. We also reiterate our call on motorpark managers to ensure proper screening of vehicles, persons and luggage entering their premises. They should also look out for new faces who show up as drivers and conductors.”

The establishment of a multinational force, comprising soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad has continued to frustrate insurgents’ operation in the North-East.

In the last two weeks, several towns and local governments in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, including the training facilities and logistic dumps of Boko Haram, have been reclaimed by Nigerian troops.

Source:
The Sun Newspaper

How To Fight Terrorism With Twitter, Social Media

Standing together in hashtag movements on social media is the right antidote to terrorism, argues Donovan White The 2015 report issued by social media agency We Are Social South Africa revealed that there are 85-million active social media users in Africa.

Deadly Bacterium 'Released From United States High-Security Lab'

Burkholderia pseudomallei specimen

Officials in Louisiana investigating how a potential bioterror agent escaped but insist there is no threat to public. US officials in Louisiana are investigating how a dangerous and often deadly bacterium got out of a high-security laboratory at a research facility, USA Today reported on Sunday.

Nigeria 2015 Elections Update: United States Warns Citizens Against Travel To Nigeria Amidst Boko Haram Attacks

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because the security situation in northeast Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their own personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their travel planning.  This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated August 11, 2014.

ISIS Recruiting Nigerian Youths Through Social Media

Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, has sounded the alarm that the blood-thirsty Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS, is currently using the social media to radicalize and recruit Nigerian youths, particularly those who come from a wealthy background.

Five Persons Killed As Factional Groups Clash in Oshodi, Lagos

 Five persons were killed and about 30 vehicles burnt by irate youths on Wednesday in a renewed clash between two factional groups of thugs at the Mosafejo Saudi Motor Park in Oshodi.

Nigeria Cybercrime Bill Allows Govt To Spy on Nigerians, Prescribes Death Sentence For Hackers

A draft law empowering security agents to intercept, record and seize electronic communications among individuals has been crafted  by the Federal Government and sent to the National Assembly.

United States Offers $3m Reward For Information On 'One of World's Prolific Hackers'

Evgeniy Bogachev

The US government has announced a $3m reward for information leading to the arrest of a man American authorities call one of the world's most prolific cyber hackers.

Gunmen Kidnap American Woman In Central Nigeria

Phyllis Sortor

Masked gunmen in central Nigeria kidnapped an American woman doing missionary work, with ransom the suspected motive for the attack, police told AFP Tuesday.

Anti-Boko Haram Nigerian Activist Wins Japan Peace Prize Worth $170,000

Esther Ibanga

TOKYO: A Nigerian woman who has campaigned against Islamist extremists Boko Haram was on Tuesday awarded a Japanese peace prize worth $170,000.

The Spy Cables: A Glimpse Into The World of Espionage

A digital leak to Al Jazeera of hundreds of secret intelligence documents from the world's spy agencies has offered an unprecedented insight into operational dealings of the shadowy and highly politicised realm of global espionage.

How A Swedish Suburb Became A Breeding Ground For Foreign Fighters Streaming Into Syria And Iraq

Foreign Fighters In Syria (Source: statista.com)

When he was 3 years old, Ahmed arrived in southern Sweden from Iraq, together with his older brother and parents. The family settled in one of their new country’s cut-off suburbs, where its many new immigrants come to live, but mostly to be forgotten.