Video - Boko Haram possibly using cluster bombs

Nigeria military has recently warned civilians that the group may be using deadly cluster bombs in their campaign for an Islamic State.

Video - Bomb blasts in Maiduguri, Nigeria leaves dozens dead

At least 39 people have died after multiple explosions in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, an emergency official says.

Three female suicide bombers, thought to be aged between 11 and 15, struck on Friday morning, an official with the National Emergency Management Agency told BBC Hausa.

It follows bomb attacks on a mosque on Thursday, which killed at least 32.

Maiduguri is often targeted by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

No group has yet said it was behind the attack during Thursday's evening prayers, that also left many people injured.

More than 100 people were killed in three explosions last month in the city, which is considered the birthplace of Boko Haram.

In Thursday's attack, officials say the first suicide bomber blew himself up inside the mosque, with a second bomber detonating explosives as people rushed to help those injured in the initial blast.

The explosions caused parts of the mosque to collapse, leading to further injuries.

Nigerian military spokesman Sani Kukasheka Usman told the BBC's Newsday programme that Boko Haram was resorting to suicide attacks because "they have been degraded to the extent that they can no longer fight collectively".

This year the security forces have reclaimed most of the territory previously captured by the group in north-eastern Nigeria.

Two million people have been forced from their homes since the militants launched their insurgency in 2009.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari made combating the group a key campaign pledge as he sought election this year, but attacks by the Islamist group have intensified since he came to power.

Mr Usman said the Nigerian army was still determined to meet a deadline set by President Buhari to defeat Boko Haram by the end of the year.


BBC

Video - Tensions building in oil-rich Delta of Nigeria

Nigeria's amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants has been in place since 2009, when the late president Umaru Yar' Adua was in power. His successor, Goodluck Jonathan continued and sustained the programme, which gave payouts and promised to train and rehabilitate the youths that had previously destabilized oil production in the Delta for years. Now, President Muhammadu Buhari says he plans to "streamline" the amnesty.
Ex-militants warn if the payouts stop, they will rearm.

Video - Economic Summit underway in Abuja, Nigeria

An economic summit is underway in Abuja, Nigeria. The West African country is facing an array of challenges including weak oil prices, slump in government revenue and high inflation. The meeting is also focusing on tackling corruption, insecurity and good governance.

Nigeria is the fifth biggest exporter of footballers in the World

A report has ranked Nigeria as the fifth biggest exporter of footballers in the world, just behind Brazil, Argentina, France and Serbia.“According to the CIES Football Observatory monthly report, Nigeria are also the biggest supplier of football talent in Africa as they have 596 players scattered across the world.

“Other African countries mentioned in this report are Senegal (10th in the world, 377), Cote d’Ivoire (11th, 370), Cameroon (12th, 366) and Ghana (13th, 365).“In total, 18,660 foreign players of 194 origins were recorded in the leagues taken into account in the analysis.“Footballers playing outside of their country of origin make up about 13% of squads.

“Five-time world champions Brazil remain the biggest exporters of footballers in the world as the report say they have 1,784 players plying their trade outside their country.“Brazilians are clearly ahead of Argentinians (929 players) and the French (758). These three nationalities alone account for almost 20% of foreigners present on a global level.“Among the 15 countries exporting the most players are six European, five African and four South American nations.

“This is despite the recent below-par performances of their national team, Brazil remain an exporter country of footballers par excellence.“Brazilians are present in almost all of the countries studied, making them the only truly global workforce.“However, no South American country is among the top five destinations of Brazilians.

However, three of the five main destinations of Argentinians are to be found in South America.“Similarly, the main countries to which French players migrate are geographically close to the home country".


Vanguard