Usman Abba Zanna is a multimedia journalist based in Maiduguri, Nigeria. He covers humanitarian crises, conflict, development and peace related stories in the LakeChad region. He is a media and conflict management consultant. Producing photography and video documentary contents to tell compelling ...

Accused Of Aiding ISWAP Abduction, Borno Police Detains Three Men For Months Without Trial

02 Oct 2023  |  HumAngle  |  English  |  Terrorism

Three men, Babagana Kyari, Kaka Mallum Musa, and Sani Haruna, were detained by the Borno State Police Command for several months without trial after being accused of aiding an ISWAP abduction. The men, who worked for FHI 360 and Halogen Security, were arrested following an ISWAP attack in Ngala, Borno state. They were released without charges, but their detention caused significant personal and financial hardship. Their families struggled to secure their release, facing health issues and financial ruin. The article criticizes the police and their employers for their handling of the situation and calls for justice and compensation for the wrongful detention.

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ISWAP Borno State Police Command

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Nalova Akua is 2022 winner of the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling. The award which honours up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people's voices and improve their well-being came with a reporting grant and a two-week internship at The Economist ...

Inside the Insurgency in Northeastern Nigeria

23 Feb 2023  |  allAfrica.com  |  English  |  Military Conflict

Rival Islamist factions Boko Haram and ISWAP are engaged in a brutal conflict in Northeastern Nigeria, with recent clashes resulting in significant casualties. The Multinational Joint Task Force has capitalized on this infighting, making gains against both groups. Boko Haram, founded by Muhammed Yusuf and later led by Abubakar Shekau until his death in 2021, has been associated with the Northern underclass's grievances. Despite territorial losses and leadership changes, both factions maintain a presence in the region, with ISWAP considered the stronger group. The conflict has resulted in over 350,000 deaths and millions displaced, with the MNJTF playing a key role in counter-insurgency efforts. However, challenges such as inadequate funding and equipment persist, and the Nigerian military has faced criticism for its handling of the insurgency. President Buhari claims territories have been reclaimed, but experts suggest the groups are far from defeated.

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Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) Boko Haram Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)

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Sophie Douce is a journalist based in Paris, France. TV and print journalism.

In the Sahel, Food Aid Faces the Cycle of Violence and Hunger

17 Feb 2024  |  www.la-croix.com  |  French  |  Hunger

In the Sahel, food aid efforts are challenged by ongoing violence and hunger. In Diffa, Niger, displaced populations face severe food insecurity exacerbated by climate change and jihadist insurgencies. Humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme and UNICEF are implementing resilience projects to reduce dependency on external aid. However, funding shortfalls and geopolitical tensions, such as the recent coup in Niger, hinder these efforts. The situation remains dire, with millions in need of food aid and limited resources to support them.

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Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) Boko Haram World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Action Against Hunger (ACF) United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (Unhas)

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Hassan Maina Kaina is a journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigeria Convoy Attack Death Toll Rises to 30

26 Sept 2020  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Armed Conflict

The death toll from an attack on the convoy of Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in northeast Nigeria by jihadists has risen to 30. The fatalities include 12 policemen, five soldiers, four militia members, and nine civilians. The attack occurred near Baga on Lake Chad, with insurgents seizing vehicles, including an armored personnel carrier and a gun truck. Zulum was unharmed and had been visiting the area to prepare for the return of displaced residents. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an offshoot of Boko Haram, is the dominant insurgent force in the region and has increased attacks recently. The conflict in northeast Nigeria has resulted in 36,000 deaths and over 2 million displaced persons.

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Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Boko Haram

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Ruona Meyer is an academic researcher, media trainer and journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria and Trier, Germany.
She specialises in multimedia journalism production, project management, curriculum development and consults on the fields of solutions journalism, diversity, equity and inclusion, as ...

Child Soldiers in West Africa: Lured with Sweets, Doomed to Fight

11 Feb 2022  |  RiffReporter  |  German  |  Terrorism

West and Central Africa have the highest number of child soldiers globally, with over 21,000 children recruited by government forces and armed groups. UNICEF has identified three new areas of concern in West Africa: the Lake Chad Basin, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon. Terror groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, use tactics such as distributing bomb-themed coloring books to train children as fighters. In 2020, at least 73 children were recruited in Chad and Niger, with actual numbers likely higher due to difficulties in verification. Children are often abducted from schools, farms, and hospitals, and the trend of children of fighters joining ranks is emerging.

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Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) United Nations UNICEF Boko Haram

Muhammad Nasir Sokoto is a journalist based in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Zulum announces “Borno Heroes” scholarship for 500 orphans of Civilian JTFs who died fighting Boko Haram

01 Jan 2022  |  globalpatriotnews.com  |  English  |  Civilian JTF

Borno state Government will launch the 'Borno Heroes Support Programme' in January 2022, providing educational scholarships to 500 orphans and support to widows of Civilian JTF, hunters, and vigilantes who died fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced this during his 2022 budget address, emphasizing the program's aim to reward the sacrifices of these volunteers by educating their children and supporting their widows.

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ISWAP Borno State Government Civilian JTF Boko Haram

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Francis Okoye is a journalist based in Onitsha, Nigeria.
1. A Bimla Misra Memorial Health Fellowship CNS Health Fellow 2016-2017.
2. Awarded  as one of 3 best Correspondence of Citizen News Service 2016.
3. Over 300 published articles in print and online media since 1990, ranging from ...

Troops Arrest ISWAP Informant In Borno, Repel Terrorist Attack In Yobe

14 Nov 2023  |  Leadership News  |  English  |  Military Operations

Troops from Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai and the Multi-National Joint Task Force arrested Aji Dala, an ISWAP informant, in Monguno, Borno State. Dala was connected to a threat letter from ISWAP planning an attack on Monguno. Meanwhile, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade repelled an ISWAP attack in Yobe State, with no casualties on the military side and the terrorists retreating with possible injuries.

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Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) 27 Task Force Brigade Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) 120 Task Force Battalion

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Tonny Onyulo is a freelance print and broadcast journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He reports across Africa. He has worked for both local and international media, including Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), County Newspaper in Nairobi, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, USA Today, ...

Catholic diocese appeals for financial help after church attack in Nigeria

15 Jun 2022  |  Sight Magazine  |  English  |  Humanitarian Aid

The Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Nigeria, is seeking financial aid to support victims of a church attack at St Francis Catholic Church, where 40 people were killed by gunmen suspected to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The attack occurred during a Pentecost service, involving explosives and gunfire. The diocese, in collaboration with the State Government, is addressing funeral and medical expenses for the victims' families. The incident has instilled fear among local worshippers, leading to decreased church attendance due to security concerns. The country is also facing challenges with the Boko Haram insurgency and criminal activities such as kidnappings.

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Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Catholic Diocese of Ondo State Government in Ondo

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Since my interest is in security and crisis-related matters, my goal is to pursue a transnational investigative journalism career, one that allows for investigative journalism missions into different countries where valuable information on security and conflict will be unearthed and widely ...

Zulum: ISWAP fighters better armed than Boko Haram… they must be stopped

04 Oct 2023  |  TheCable  |  English  |  Security

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno highlights the growing threat posed by ISWAP, noting they are better armed and more sophisticated than Boko Haram. He emphasizes the need for immediate action to counter ISWAP's influence in Borno, despite recent gains in peace and stability, particularly in agriculture, due to insurgent surrenders. Zulum advocates for a combined military and political strategy for lasting peace. Senator Ali Ndume commends Zulum's support for the army's peace efforts.

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ISWAP Boko Haram Nigerian Army

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I worked for 13 years as a journalist at Agence France-Presse, with lengthy postings in Washington, Harare, Bangkok and Johannesburg. I've worked in about two dozen countries on four continents, covering everything from elections to coups, wars and peace talks, the World Cup and Mandela's funeral. ...

Southeast Niger: at least ten civilians killed by Boko Haram near Diffa

09 Mar 2022  |  www.lenouvelliste.ca  |  French  |  Violence

At least ten civilians were killed in attacks by Boko Haram near Diffa, Southeast Niger. The assailants attacked several villages, with six deaths in the village of Fiego, two in Ngarwa-Lawandi, and two in Ngarwa-Koura. The attacks began at 8:00 PM local time in Lada and continued through the night to other villages. Maman Kaka Touda of the NGO Alternative espace citoyen reported twenty deaths, with ten in Lada. These attacks break a period of calm in the region, raising concerns about returning insecurity. The government had not confirmed the attacks as of Wednesday afternoon. The region has faced jihadist raids since 2015, and President Mohamed Bazoum recently acknowledged security improvements, announcing the recruitment and training of soldiers for deployment in the area.

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Islamic State in West Africa (Iswap) Boko Haram Alternative espace citoyen (AEC) Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS)

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I'm a British multimedia journalist based in the Mumbai region of India. I'm HEFAT certified and create TV and radio, mostly for Voice of America. I’ve also appeared on BBC World Service, France 24 and CBC Radio and Al Jazeera.

I've written for outlets like The Economist, The Washington Post, Al ...

In violence-hit Burkina Faso, love wins for interfaith couples

19 Feb 2020  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Conflict

In Burkina Faso, a country experiencing conflict and religious tensions, interfaith marriages like that of Muslim Inoussa Bouda and Christian Alida Bouda are a testament to the nation's historical religious and ethnic tolerance. Despite initial family opposition, the Boudas' marriage thrives, symbolizing unity in a region where armed groups exploit divisions. Religious leaders, including Imam Bourima Drabo and Priest Joseph Clochard, actively support such unions through workshops, fostering dialogue and understanding. This approach aligns with recommendations from think-tanks like the International Crisis Group, which advocates for increased visibility and support for initiatives promoting religious tolerance.

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Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) Missionaries of Africa

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