Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Video - Surviving captivity under Boko Haram
Nigeria's military says more than 700 people held hostage by the armed group Boko Haram have managed to escape. Al Jazeera visited the region in northeast Nigeria where people have been living in the shadow of Boko Haram. While there, we met with former captives, and the families of people still held hostage by the armed group. Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports from Madagali, northeast Nigeria.
Suicide bomber attacks mosque in Borno, Nigeria
A suicide attacker blew himself up Wednesday during dawn prayers at a mosque in the Nigerian town of Gamboru in Borno state.
Officials confirmed at least 11 people were killed and the mosque was reduced to rubble.
"Only the muezzin has survived and we believe more bodies are buried under the debris," Umar Kachalla, a civilian militiaman, told the news agency AFP. "The death toll may likely rise."
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the bombing, but Boko Haram is active in the area and often uses suicide bombers to attack public places like mosques and markets.
The extremist group has also stepped up its attacks in Borno state in recent months, particularly around the regional capital Maiduguri — the birthplace of its Islamist insurgency.
'We carried out these attacks'
On Tuesday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video message claiming responsibility for a series of attacks across Nigeria's northeast over the Christmas period.
On Saturday, 25 people were killed outside Maiduguri, while four civilians were killed in an attack in the city last week.
"We carried out the attacks in Maiduguri, in Gamboru, in Damboa," Shekau said. "We carried out all these attacks."
In November, at least 50 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Adamawa state.
Ongoing struggle
The extremist group has killed around 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.6 million since launching an Islamist insurgency in Nigeria's northeast in 2009.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in his New Year address that Boko Haram had largely been "beaten."
But despite losing territory to Nigerian troops, the jihadi group's fighters have continued to stage attacks on military convoys and towns, as well as carry out cross border raids into Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Officials confirmed at least 11 people were killed and the mosque was reduced to rubble.
"Only the muezzin has survived and we believe more bodies are buried under the debris," Umar Kachalla, a civilian militiaman, told the news agency AFP. "The death toll may likely rise."
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the bombing, but Boko Haram is active in the area and often uses suicide bombers to attack public places like mosques and markets.
The extremist group has also stepped up its attacks in Borno state in recent months, particularly around the regional capital Maiduguri — the birthplace of its Islamist insurgency.
'We carried out these attacks'
On Tuesday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video message claiming responsibility for a series of attacks across Nigeria's northeast over the Christmas period.
On Saturday, 25 people were killed outside Maiduguri, while four civilians were killed in an attack in the city last week.
"We carried out the attacks in Maiduguri, in Gamboru, in Damboa," Shekau said. "We carried out all these attacks."
In November, at least 50 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Adamawa state.
Ongoing struggle
The extremist group has killed around 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.6 million since launching an Islamist insurgency in Nigeria's northeast in 2009.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in his New Year address that Boko Haram had largely been "beaten."
But despite losing territory to Nigerian troops, the jihadi group's fighters have continued to stage attacks on military convoys and towns, as well as carry out cross border raids into Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Video - Recession, inflation make for a difficult year 2017 for Nigeria
2017 been a topsy-turvy year for the Nigerian economy. Reeling from the effects of recession and record inflation rate coupled with severe foreign exchange shortages, Nigerians had it tough in 2017. The economy is now out of recession and on the path of growth, albeit very slowly. But people are more optimistic. Here is Deji Badmus with a highlight of what Africa's largest economy has been through this year.
Video - Nigerian entrepreneur makes dessert themed bath, body products
Blondie Okpuzor makes BathKandy - a handcrafted, food-inspired, bath and body store in Nigeria. The skincare range is made from natural and organic ingredients that target common skin problems and the products are moulded in the shape and look of cupcakes, chocolate bars, lollipops and doughnuts.
Gunmen attack church on New Years eve in Nigeria - 14 reported dead
Gunmen killed at least 14 churchgoers returning from midnight services on Monday in Nigeria’s Rivers State, a police source said, after the latest violence to hit the oil-rich region.
“The gunmen opened fire on a set of worshippers at about 12.30am on Monday,” said Ugochi Olugbo, a relative of one of the victims who were attending a New Year’s Eve service.
The Nigeria Independent reported gunmen operated at two different locations, the Kirigani and Oboh axis of Aligu, Omoku, in a coordinated attack on Christians returning from church services.
“Fourteen persons died on the spot, while 12 who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital and are receiving medical attention,” said a police source who asked to remain anonymous.
Rivers State police public relations officer Nnamdi Omoni could not confirm the number of casualties. “The commissioner of police, Ahmed Zaki, has also launched a manhunt for the bandits to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted,” Omoni said.
“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operation and other tactical heads have been mobilised there to restore peace.”
“The gunmen opened fire on a set of worshippers at about 12.30am on Monday,” said Ugochi Olugbo, a relative of one of the victims who were attending a New Year’s Eve service.
The Nigeria Independent reported gunmen operated at two different locations, the Kirigani and Oboh axis of Aligu, Omoku, in a coordinated attack on Christians returning from church services.
“Fourteen persons died on the spot, while 12 who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital and are receiving medical attention,” said a police source who asked to remain anonymous.
Rivers State police public relations officer Nnamdi Omoni could not confirm the number of casualties. “The commissioner of police, Ahmed Zaki, has also launched a manhunt for the bandits to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted,” Omoni said.
“The deputy commissioner of police in charge of operation and other tactical heads have been mobilised there to restore peace.”
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