Category: Security

AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Detaining, Abusing Boko Haram Escapees

11Jun

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Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Human Rights, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Detaining, Abusing Boko Haram Escapees

Amnesty International has reported that dozens of women and young girls who escaped captivity by Boko Haram extremists have faced unlawful detention and abuse within Nigerian military facilities. The report, released on Monday, highlights ongoing human rights violations in the country’s northeast. The Amnesty International report is based on 126 interviews, mostly with survivors, conducted over the 14 years since Boko Haram launched its insurgency. It documents the harrowing experiences of women and girls who were detained, often along with their children, for extended periods due to their real or perceived associations with the extremist group. The report echoes longstanding concerns about the Nigerian military's human rights record, which has faced accusations of extrajudicial kil...

Nigerian Army Rescues Hundreds of Hostages from Boko Haram

22May

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Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Nigerian Army Rescues Hundreds of Hostages from Boko Haram

The Nigerian army announced that it has rescued 350 hostages, predominantly children and women, from the clutches of Boko Haram extremists in northeastern Nigeria. The rescue operation, which spanned several days, culminated in the liberation of the captives from the Sambisa Forest, a notorious hideout for the extremist group. Major General Ken Chigbu, a senior Nigerian army officer, presented the rescued hostages to authorities in Borno state late Monday. The hostages included 209 children, 135 women, and six men, all appearing exhausted and clad in worn-out clothes. Among the female hostages, some had babies believed to have been born from forced marriages, a grim reality for many girls and women subjected to sexual violence and forced unions during their captivity. Hajara Umara, ...

Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers

22May

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Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers

Remote Villages in Plateau’s Wase District Targeted in Deadly Late-Night Raid Plateau State, Nigeria — Armed men launched a brutal attack on remote villages in northcentral Nigeria's Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen villagers during a late-night raid, authorities reported on Tuesday. The assailants struck the Zurak community in Wase district, causing widespread panic and forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes. The incident marks another tragic episode in the region's long-standing conflict, which has seen hundreds killed over the years. The violence is primarily attributed to the ongoing struggle for control over water and land between nomadic herders and rural farmers. While government officials confirmed twelve casualties to The Associat...

Reps Wants Nigerians Educated on the Cyber Crimes Levy

16May

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Finance, Legislature, News, Nigeria, Security

Reps Wants Nigerians Educated on the Cyber Crimes Levy

In a recent session, the House of Representatives took steps to address what it termed misconceptions surrounding the Cyber Crimes Act to ensure its effective implementation. The directive, aimed at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), stressed the importance of public awareness and correct execution of the law. The motion, presented by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, along with seven others, highlighted concerns regarding the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. The House emphasized the need to rectify misinterpretations of the law and dispel any erroneous perceptions of its enforcement. During the session, Chinda referenced a previous motion on May 9, 2024, which focused on the ...

3 Police Officers and an FRSC Officer Killed by Gunmen in Enugu

13May

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Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria, Security

3 Police Officers and an FRSC Officer Killed by Gunmen in Enugu

Gunmen have killed three policemen and a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official in Enugu State, Nigeria. The attack occurred on Monday morning along the Obeagu-Amechi Road in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state. According to the report, the gunmen ambushed the police officers and the FRSC official while they were on duty. The assailants opened fire on them, leading to their deaths. See Also: Three Police Officers killed by Suspected Gunmen in Enugu The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and uncover their motive. This is the second attack on security personnel in Enugu State within a week. On May 8, 2023, gunmen killed two police officers in the Nkanu West Local Government...

Cybersecurity Levy not Targeted at Individuals – Senate Buba

12May

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Economy, Finance, Legislature, Nigeria, Security

Cybersecurity Levy not Targeted at Individuals – Senate Buba

In response to recent concerns surrounding the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) announcement of a cybersecurity levy, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, representing the APC Bauchi South constituency, clarified that the levy is not targeted at individuals or ordinary bank customers. Rather, it is aimed explicitly at financial institutions and telecom companies, identified as the most vulnerable sectors to financial crimes and cyber fraud, with the goal of enhancing cybersecurity measures and national security in the country. Speaking from Abuja in a statement released on Sunday, Senator Buba, who sponsored the amendment bill, highlighted the specificity of the Cybercrime Act regarding the entities required to pay the levy, em...

Dozens Killed in Brutal Attacks in Zamfara and Plateau States

11May

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Fulani Herdsmen, Nigeria, Safety, Security, Terrorism

Dozens Killed in Brutal Attacks in Zamfara and Plateau States

Bandits have wreaked havoc in Zamfara and Plateau States, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. At least 30 farmers, including a respected Islamic cleric, were brutally killed in Zamfara, while in Plateau, two herders and over 200 cattle fell victim to the bloodshed. Confirming the attacks in Zamfara, Police Spokesman ASP Yazid Abu Abubakar acknowledged the grim reality but withheld further details pending investigation. "The attacks occurred in two local government areas of the state," Abubakar stated, urging for patience as authorities gather information. Sources close to the incidents revealed that the atrocities unfolded on Thursday, striking fear into the hearts of Zamfara residents. Maradun and Tsafe local government areas bore the brunt of the violence, with...

Al-Qaeda Linked Group Accused of Mass Killings in Mali

10May

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Mali, News, Security, Terrorism

Al-Qaeda Linked Group Accused of Mass Killings in Mali

BAMAKO, MALI – A new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) details a horrifying massacre of villagers in central Mali. The extremist group JNIM, with ties to al-Qaeda, is accused of the January 27th attacks on Ogota and Ouémbé villages. At least 32 people, including three children, were killed. Ethnic Violence and Displacement Witnesses describe the killings as being ethnically motivated. Over 350 homes were burned to the ground, displacing thousands of villagers. HRW's report also highlights another incident on January 6th, where an ethnic armed group killed 13 civilians and abducted 24 in separate villages. “Islamist armed groups and ethnic militias are brutally attacking civilians without fear of prosecution,” stated Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Ri...

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

7May

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Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Security, South Africa

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

Death toll rises to 7 11 trapped workers rescued. In George, South Africa, a frantic rescue effort persists into the night as over 30 individuals remain trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building. The construction site, bustling with 75 workers, suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday afternoon, claiming at least 7 lives. Colin Deiner, leading the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, conveyed the intensity of the rescue operation, expecting it to extend for at least three days. "We are going to give it the absolute maximum time to see how many people we can rescue," Deiner emphasized during a press briefing, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams maneuvering heavy machinery near trapped individuals. Earlier assessmen...

Nigeria CBN Introduces Cybersecurity Levy on Transactions

7May

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Economy, Finance, Nigeria, Security

Nigeria CBN Introduces Cybersecurity Levy on Transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a directive requiring banks to impose a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on transactions. This directive, conveyed through a circular released on Monday, is set to take effect within two weeks from its announcement. The circular, directed to all categories of banks including commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, underscores the intention to combat cybercrimes in line with existing legislative frameworks like the Cybercrimes Act of 2015. This directive follows up on previous communications dated June 25, 2018, and October 5, 2018, signaling the CBN's sustained efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures within the financial sector. The decision to implement this levy is reportedly rooted in the Cybercrime Act of 2024, which mand...