Authorities in Nigeria are relying on local intelligence and bolstering the Civilian Joint Task Force to tackle the growing threat posed by militants in recent months. However, experts say a lasting solution requires increased economic support, local policing, and high-tech surveillance.
Monday, May 26, 2025
Video - Nigerian security forces rethink strategies amid renewed militant threat
Authorities in Nigeria are relying on local intelligence and bolstering the Civilian Joint Task Force to tackle the growing threat posed by militants in recent months. However, experts say a lasting solution requires increased economic support, local policing, and high-tech surveillance.
Nigeria to open two Chinese-backed lithium processing plants this year
Nigeria is set to commission two major lithium processing plants this year, the country's mining minister announced on Sunday, marking a shift from raw mineral exports towards adding value domestically.
The facilities, largely funded by Chinese investors, could help transform Nigeria's vast mineral wealth into jobs, technology, and manufacturing growth within the country.
Mining Minister Dele Alake said a $600-million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border is slated for commissioning this quarter, while a $200-million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is nearing completion. Two additional processing plants are expected in Nasarawa state, which borders the capital Abuja, before the third quarter of 2025, the minister said."We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value - jobs, technology, and manufacturing," Alake said.
Over 80% of the funding for the four facilities has been provided by Chinese firms, including Jiuling Lithium Mining Company and Canmax Technologies, according to separate announcements by governors of the states where the plants are located.
The remaining stakes are owned by local investor Three Crown Mines.The Chinese firms did not immediately provide comment.The push for domestic processing follows a 2022 study by Nigeria's Geological Survey Agency, which discovered significant deposits of high-grade lithium across half a dozen Nigerian States, attracting considerable international interest.These developments are part of Nigeria's broader reforms to its underdeveloped mining sector, which currently contributes less than 1% to the nation's gross domestic product.
Other reforms undertaken include restricting the export of unprocessed minerals, formalising artisanal mining operations, which account for much of the current extraction, and establishing a state mining firm where investors can own up to a 75% stake.
Global investors eye Nigeria’s lithium reserves
The facilities, largely funded by Chinese investors, could help transform Nigeria's vast mineral wealth into jobs, technology, and manufacturing growth within the country.
Mining Minister Dele Alake said a $600-million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border is slated for commissioning this quarter, while a $200-million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is nearing completion. Two additional processing plants are expected in Nasarawa state, which borders the capital Abuja, before the third quarter of 2025, the minister said."We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value - jobs, technology, and manufacturing," Alake said.
Over 80% of the funding for the four facilities has been provided by Chinese firms, including Jiuling Lithium Mining Company and Canmax Technologies, according to separate announcements by governors of the states where the plants are located.
The remaining stakes are owned by local investor Three Crown Mines.The Chinese firms did not immediately provide comment.The push for domestic processing follows a 2022 study by Nigeria's Geological Survey Agency, which discovered significant deposits of high-grade lithium across half a dozen Nigerian States, attracting considerable international interest.These developments are part of Nigeria's broader reforms to its underdeveloped mining sector, which currently contributes less than 1% to the nation's gross domestic product.
Other reforms undertaken include restricting the export of unprocessed minerals, formalising artisanal mining operations, which account for much of the current extraction, and establishing a state mining firm where investors can own up to a 75% stake.
Armed gangs kill dozens in northeast Nigeria
Armed gangs in northeast Nigeria have killed dozens of people in two suspected attacks, a local governor and villagers said Saturday.
In a statement, the governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas, said "scores of people reportedly lost their lives and properties" in the attacks in the villages of Munga and Magani, in Karim Lamido district, early on Saturday.
By Karl Sexton, DW
In a statement, the governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas, said "scores of people reportedly lost their lives and properties" in the attacks in the villages of Munga and Magani, in Karim Lamido district, early on Saturday.
What do we know about the attacks?
Kefas did not provide an exact death toll, but Nigerian outlet the Daily Post said more than 30 people had been killed by armed gangs, known in the West African country as "bandits."
"It was midnight, I heard gunshots, I woke up my brother and other people in our area," Magani resident Moses Kefas told AFP news agency.
He added that he and his neighbors returned after the gunmen had left. "I saw 16 bodies scattered around the village," he said.
Andrew John, from Munga, said he had seen about 13 dead bodies in his village.
Kefas did not provide an exact death toll, but Nigerian outlet the Daily Post said more than 30 people had been killed by armed gangs, known in the West African country as "bandits."
"It was midnight, I heard gunshots, I woke up my brother and other people in our area," Magani resident Moses Kefas told AFP news agency.
He added that he and his neighbors returned after the gunmen had left. "I saw 16 bodies scattered around the village," he said.
Andrew John, from Munga, said he had seen about 13 dead bodies in his village.
Northern Nigeria gripped by deadly violence
Dozens of people have reportedly been displaced by the wave of violence.
The governor condemned the violence "in the strongest terms," calling it "horrendous and unacceptable."
"Our citizens' safety is my top priority," Kefas said, according to the Daily Post. "We have activated all necessary security measures to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to book."
Northeastern Nigeria has been plagued by violence in recent weeks, as armed gangs and Islamist groups, including Boko Haram, have increased their attacks.
The region has been ravaged by a 16-year insurgency. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and two million have been displaced, while the local economy has been badly damaged.
Dozens of people have reportedly been displaced by the wave of violence.
The governor condemned the violence "in the strongest terms," calling it "horrendous and unacceptable."
"Our citizens' safety is my top priority," Kefas said, according to the Daily Post. "We have activated all necessary security measures to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to book."
Northeastern Nigeria has been plagued by violence in recent weeks, as armed gangs and Islamist groups, including Boko Haram, have increased their attacks.
The region has been ravaged by a 16-year insurgency. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and two million have been displaced, while the local economy has been badly damaged.
Separatists' sit-at-home protests lead to 700 deaths in Nigeria's southeast
A sit-at-home order by banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria's southeast has led to the death of over 700 people in the region over the past four years, an intelligence consultancy said in a new report.
The IPOB, campaigning for the secession of the southeast that is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities.
SBM Intelligence reported that the fatalities resulted from the killing of civilians who defied the weekly stay-at-home order every Monday and on other specific days, as well as from clashes between the IPOB and Nigerian security forces.
"IPOB's enforcement tactics, including arson, looting and targeted assassinations, have created a climate of fear," the SBM report said.
"While there was a high rate of compliance with sit-at-home orders in 2021 (82.61%), surveys reveal that actual support is much lower (29%) now, with many complying under duress."
An IPOB spokesperson denied the group was responsible for the deaths.
"Those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB," the spokesperson said.
The government did not respond to a request for comment.
The IPOB launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 across the five states of Nigeria's southeast, using it as leverage to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in the capital Abuja on terrorism charges.
The group suspended the weekly protest days later, citing a "direct order" from Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, and reinstated it only on days the IPOB leader would be appearing in court.
However, other armed groups claiming allegiance to IPOB and factions within the group have persisted in enforcing the weekly protest, launching attacks on government facilities and perceived pro-government individuals.
Despite IPOB's attempts to disassociate itself from the region's violence, the police have accused the group of involvement in several incidents, including a 2021 attack on a prison and the murder of over 30 travellers earlier this month.
The IPOB denied responsibility for those two attacks.
The SBM report added that beyond the deaths, the sit-at-home order, which suspends economic activities in the southeast every Monday and on days when Kanu appears in court, has resulted in economic losses surpassing 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion).
Civil war engulfed the restive Biafra region in the late 1960s, killing more than 1 million people.
By Ben Ezeamalu, Reuters
The IPOB, campaigning for the secession of the southeast that is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities.
SBM Intelligence reported that the fatalities resulted from the killing of civilians who defied the weekly stay-at-home order every Monday and on other specific days, as well as from clashes between the IPOB and Nigerian security forces.
"IPOB's enforcement tactics, including arson, looting and targeted assassinations, have created a climate of fear," the SBM report said.
"While there was a high rate of compliance with sit-at-home orders in 2021 (82.61%), surveys reveal that actual support is much lower (29%) now, with many complying under duress."
An IPOB spokesperson denied the group was responsible for the deaths.
"Those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB," the spokesperson said.
The government did not respond to a request for comment.
The IPOB launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 across the five states of Nigeria's southeast, using it as leverage to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in the capital Abuja on terrorism charges.
The group suspended the weekly protest days later, citing a "direct order" from Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, and reinstated it only on days the IPOB leader would be appearing in court.
However, other armed groups claiming allegiance to IPOB and factions within the group have persisted in enforcing the weekly protest, launching attacks on government facilities and perceived pro-government individuals.
Despite IPOB's attempts to disassociate itself from the region's violence, the police have accused the group of involvement in several incidents, including a 2021 attack on a prison and the murder of over 30 travellers earlier this month.
The IPOB denied responsibility for those two attacks.
The SBM report added that beyond the deaths, the sit-at-home order, which suspends economic activities in the southeast every Monday and on days when Kanu appears in court, has resulted in economic losses surpassing 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion).
Civil war engulfed the restive Biafra region in the late 1960s, killing more than 1 million people.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Nigeria's ruling party endorses President Tinubu for 2027 re-election
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party on Thursday endorsed President Bola Tinubu to run for a second and final term at the next election, due in early 2027.
Tinubu, 73, won the last presidential vote in February 2023, which his two main rivals unsuccessfully challenged in court, alleging the vote was rigged. Tinubu said he won fairly.
The APC said at a summit in Abuja, the capital, that it wanted Tinubu to continue with reforms that the government says have rebooted the economy after removing a costly petrol subsidy and liberalising the exchange rate.
Tinubu's reforms have won applause from credit ratings agencies, foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund. Critics say they have caused the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC national chairman, said, "On behalf of the National Working Committee I hereby affirm the various endorsements and declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as sole presidential candidate of APC."
The summit coincided with the second anniversary of Tinubu's presidency, and several cabinet ministers also spoke about their achievements since taking office.
Presidents in Nigeria can serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
Although Tinubu faces criticism that his policies have hurt Nigerians and that he has failed to end insecurity, including a long-running Islamist insurgency and banditry, the opposition is seen as too divided and weak to mount a serious challenge.
The opposition parties have also been hit by some high-profile defections to the APC. Tinubu said he expected more such defections, adding, "That is the game."
By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
Tinubu, 73, won the last presidential vote in February 2023, which his two main rivals unsuccessfully challenged in court, alleging the vote was rigged. Tinubu said he won fairly.
The APC said at a summit in Abuja, the capital, that it wanted Tinubu to continue with reforms that the government says have rebooted the economy after removing a costly petrol subsidy and liberalising the exchange rate.
Tinubu's reforms have won applause from credit ratings agencies, foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund. Critics say they have caused the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory.
Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC national chairman, said, "On behalf of the National Working Committee I hereby affirm the various endorsements and declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as sole presidential candidate of APC."
The summit coincided with the second anniversary of Tinubu's presidency, and several cabinet ministers also spoke about their achievements since taking office.
Presidents in Nigeria can serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
Although Tinubu faces criticism that his policies have hurt Nigerians and that he has failed to end insecurity, including a long-running Islamist insurgency and banditry, the opposition is seen as too divided and weak to mount a serious challenge.
The opposition parties have also been hit by some high-profile defections to the APC. Tinubu said he expected more such defections, adding, "That is the game."
By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)