Security

Militants Attack Nigerian Army Base in Borno
Armed Forces, Boko Haram, News, Nigeria, Security, Terrorism

Militants Attack Nigerian Army Base in Borno

Maiduguri, Nigeria – May 13, 2025 * Soldiers Missing Amid Rising Insurgency Suspected Islamist militants launched a brazen attack on a Nigerian army base in Borno’s Marte Local Government Area in the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025, leaving several soldiers dead, injured, and missing, according to security sources. The assault, attributed to either Boko Haram or its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), marks a troubling escalation in the region’s long-running insurgency, raising fears of a major militant resurgence. The attack targeted the 153 Task Force Battalion base in Marte district, a remote area near Lake Chad, starting around 2:00 AM GMT. A soldier who escaped the assault described how the militants, arriving on motorbikes and gun trucks, laid si...
Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025
Africa, African Development, Economy, Security, Violence

Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025

The past week in Africa was marked by significant developments across political, economic, social, and humanitarian spheres. From escalating conflicts and economic reforms to cultural milestones and environmental challenges, the continent saw a range of events that shaped its trajectory. Below is a detailed roundup of the major news stories from Africa for the week of May 3–9, 2025, organized by key themes. Political Developments Nigeria’s Senate Passes Tax Reform Bills On May 9, Nigeria’s Senate approved tax reform bills aimed at boosting government revenue, a critical step in addressing the country’s fiscal challenges. The reforms focus on improving tax collection efficiency and broadening the tax base to reduce dependency on oil revenues. However, the International Monetary...
AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Detaining, Abusing Boko Haram Escapees
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 kill...
Nigerian Army Rescues Hundreds of Hostages from Boko Haram
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, o...
Armed Men Attack Villages in Northcentral Nigeria, Killing Up to 40 Villagers
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 Associated Pr...
Reps Wants Nigerians Educated on the Cyber Crimes Levy
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 i...
3 Police Officers and an FRSC Officer Killed by Gunmen in Enugu
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
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, emp...
Dozens Killed in Brutal Attacks in Zamfara and Plateau States
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
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 Rig...