Two separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers - one by a female duo, the other by three men - have killed three people in northeast Nigeria, police said on Monday. All the attackers died.
The bombings late on Sunday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state where the Boko Haram insurgency began, followed a bloody clash on Saturday in which five soldiers and more than 15 jihadist fighters died in neighboring Yobe state.
The violence marks a resurgence in attacks weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari said Boko Haram fighters had been pushed out of their last stronghold in the northeast where they have been trying to set up an Islamic state.
Maiduguri police said the women bombers claimed two victims there late on Sunday evening shortly after the male group had killed one person in the city. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks but they bear the hallmarks of the group.
The deaths in Yobe state came in Boko Haram attack on an army base in the remote town of Buni Yadi.
The frequency of attacks had slowed down in the last few months, but security analysts say the spate of bombings in the last few weeks has coincided with the end of the rainy season, when movements in the bush are limited.
A man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a video denying Buhari's statement that the group had been pushed out of the region.
Boko Haram's seven-year-old insurgency, which is aimed at creating an Islamic state in the northeast of Africa's most populous nation, has killed about 15,000 people and displaced more than 2 million people.
In early 2015, Boko Haram controlled an area about the size of Belgium. It has been pushed out of most of that territory over the past year by Nigeria's army and troops from neighboring countries, moving to a base in the Sambisa forest, a vast former game reserve in Borno state.
Security analysts say the group's ability to carry out attacks in neighboring Niger, Cameroon and Chad suggests it has multiple bases.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Video - Interrogation of captured militants leads authorities to missing girl
Ongoing interrogation of Boko Haram suspects have bourn fruits as one of the Chibok Girls captured --has been found. The Nigerian military confirmed this on Thursday. Rakiya Abubakar and her 6-month-old baby's identity were discovered in the course of grilling of over one thousand suspects captured in the Sambisa forest. Jubilation rang through amongst parents of the missing girls upon hearing the news and renewed optimism that more good news would soon follow. In May 2016, one girl fled captivity as the government negotiated the release of 21 girls in October. Another was freed in November when the army raided their camp in the Sambisa forest. It's been nearly 3 years since 300 girls vanished from a government school in Chibok in northern Borno State-most of whom still remain in captivity.
John Mikel Obi to make move to China
Midfielder John Mikel Obi has left Chelsea to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA.
The 29-year-old Nigerian has played 372 times for Chelsea since joining in 2006 but has not featured this season.
He said it had been "an honour" to play for the Stamford Bridge club but it was time to "seek a new challenge".
Mikel has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge.
"I haven't featured as much this season as I would have liked and I still have many years in the game ahead of me," Mikel wrote on Twitter in a message to Chelsea fans.
"With this in mind, I feel now is the time to seek a new challenge.
"I'm delighted to be joining Tianjin TEDA FC at a time that the Chinese Super League is really taking off, and I look forward to helping Tianjin TEDA FC continue to grow.
"To play in the Premier League is every professional player's ambition.
"But to play for Chelsea, to become part of the Chelsea family to work with some of the best managers and players in the world, has truly been an honour.
Mikel is the second Chelsea player to move to the Chinese Super League in recent weeks following Oscar's transfer to Shanghai SIPG.
Chibok girl kidnapped by Boko Haram found with baby
Soldiers interrogating captured Boko Haram suspects have found one of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by the extremist group nearly three years ago, along with her baby, Nigeria’s military said Thursday.
Nearly 300 girls were kidnapped by the insurgents from a government boarding school in the remote northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014, a mass abduction that shocked the world and brought Boko Haram international attention. Most of the girls remain in captivity.
In May, one girl escaped. In October, the government negotiated the release of 21 more. Another girl was freed in November in an army raid on an extremist camp in the Sambisa Forest.
Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman identified the latest girl to be freed as Rakiya Abubakar and said she has a 6-month-old baby. He said her identity was discovered when soldiers were interrogating some of more than 1,000 suspects detained in recent weeks of army raids on the Sambisa Forest.
The military released a photograph showing Abubakar with mournful eyes, her head covered by a white scarf, and clutching the baby wearing a white beanie cap.
Nigeria’s government announced that troops two weeks ago destroyed that last stronghold of Boko Haram, and President Muhammadu Buhari declared the extremist group was finally “crushed.”
That raised questions about the whereabouts of the other Chibok girls, believed held in the forest. Some 196 remained missing before Thursday’s discovery, though some of the freed girls have said that several in their group have died from things like malaria and snakebite.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau issued a video last week to contradict Buhari’s assertion that “the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.” Shekau declared that the war was just starting and urged his fighters to keep killing, bombing and abducting people.
Nigeria’s government has been criticized over its treatment of the freed girls, who have been sequestered in Abuja, the capital, allegedly for trauma counseling and rehabilitation.
The freed girls insisted on being taken to Chibok for Christmas, but they were kept in the home of a local legislator and prevented from attending Christmas service at their EYN Church of the Brethren, supposedly for security reasons. They were not reunited with their parents until the day after Christmas. Chibok is a small Christian enclave following a branch of the U.S.-based Brethren in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria. Many parents of the girls are translating the Bible into local languages.
More than a dozen of the parents have died since their daughters were kidnapped, relatives say from stress-related illnesses.
Nigeria’s government has said it continues to negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of all of the Chibok girls. But Chibok community leader Pogu Bitrus has told The Associated Press that more than 100 of the girls appear unwilling to leave their Boko Haram captors. He said the unwilling girls may have been radicalized or are ashamed to return home because they were forced to marry extremists and have babies.
In captivity, Boko Haram forced the girls to convert to Islam and “married” many of them to fighters. There have been unverified reports that some were carried across borders into Cameroon and Niger and Shekau had threatened to sell some of them into slavery.
Boko Haram’s seven-year Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, spread across Nigeria’s borders, forced. 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis in which the U.N. says 5.1 million people face starvation in northeast Nigeria.
Hundreds of innocent victims have died in the hands of the military, Amnesty International has charged, including babies held with suspects detained in military raids on Boko Haram camps.
Nearly 300 girls were kidnapped by the insurgents from a government boarding school in the remote northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014, a mass abduction that shocked the world and brought Boko Haram international attention. Most of the girls remain in captivity.
In May, one girl escaped. In October, the government negotiated the release of 21 more. Another girl was freed in November in an army raid on an extremist camp in the Sambisa Forest.
Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman identified the latest girl to be freed as Rakiya Abubakar and said she has a 6-month-old baby. He said her identity was discovered when soldiers were interrogating some of more than 1,000 suspects detained in recent weeks of army raids on the Sambisa Forest.
The military released a photograph showing Abubakar with mournful eyes, her head covered by a white scarf, and clutching the baby wearing a white beanie cap.
Nigeria’s government announced that troops two weeks ago destroyed that last stronghold of Boko Haram, and President Muhammadu Buhari declared the extremist group was finally “crushed.”
That raised questions about the whereabouts of the other Chibok girls, believed held in the forest. Some 196 remained missing before Thursday’s discovery, though some of the freed girls have said that several in their group have died from things like malaria and snakebite.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau issued a video last week to contradict Buhari’s assertion that “the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.” Shekau declared that the war was just starting and urged his fighters to keep killing, bombing and abducting people.
Nigeria’s government has been criticized over its treatment of the freed girls, who have been sequestered in Abuja, the capital, allegedly for trauma counseling and rehabilitation.
The freed girls insisted on being taken to Chibok for Christmas, but they were kept in the home of a local legislator and prevented from attending Christmas service at their EYN Church of the Brethren, supposedly for security reasons. They were not reunited with their parents until the day after Christmas. Chibok is a small Christian enclave following a branch of the U.S.-based Brethren in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria. Many parents of the girls are translating the Bible into local languages.
More than a dozen of the parents have died since their daughters were kidnapped, relatives say from stress-related illnesses.
Nigeria’s government has said it continues to negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of all of the Chibok girls. But Chibok community leader Pogu Bitrus has told The Associated Press that more than 100 of the girls appear unwilling to leave their Boko Haram captors. He said the unwilling girls may have been radicalized or are ashamed to return home because they were forced to marry extremists and have babies.
In captivity, Boko Haram forced the girls to convert to Islam and “married” many of them to fighters. There have been unverified reports that some were carried across borders into Cameroon and Niger and Shekau had threatened to sell some of them into slavery.
Boko Haram’s seven-year Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, spread across Nigeria’s borders, forced. 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis in which the U.N. says 5.1 million people face starvation in northeast Nigeria.
Hundreds of innocent victims have died in the hands of the military, Amnesty International has charged, including babies held with suspects detained in military raids on Boko Haram camps.
Abuja airport closed for six weeks due to unsafe runway
A Nigerian official has said the airport in the capital city of Abuja will close for six weeks beginning in March to repair its “dilapidated” and “unsafe” runway.
The closure beginning on 8 March will see flights diverted to an airport in Kaduna, a city about 180 km (110 miles) to the north, with additional security provided for shuttle busses travelling along a highway that has been the scene of high-profile kidnappings.
“I was conscious of the sheer size of dilapidation of our critical infrastructure in our aviation industry and especially the most critical ones such as the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” junior aviation minister Hadi Sirika said as he announced the closure at a meeting.
Built in 1982 with a planned 20-year life span, Sirika said the “entire structure of the runway has failed” and was “unsafe for operation.”
Helicopter services will also be available between Kaduna and Abuja
In 2015, a travel website rated the Nigeria’s Port Harcourt International Airport the worst in the world, describing it as “the dirtiest and most corrupt airport in Africa.”
Nigeria’s aviation sector took a beating last year as currency controls made it difficult for airlines to obtain sufficient funds to pay suppliers, with many curtailing and some suspending operations.
The closure beginning on 8 March will see flights diverted to an airport in Kaduna, a city about 180 km (110 miles) to the north, with additional security provided for shuttle busses travelling along a highway that has been the scene of high-profile kidnappings.
“I was conscious of the sheer size of dilapidation of our critical infrastructure in our aviation industry and especially the most critical ones such as the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” junior aviation minister Hadi Sirika said as he announced the closure at a meeting.
Built in 1982 with a planned 20-year life span, Sirika said the “entire structure of the runway has failed” and was “unsafe for operation.”
Helicopter services will also be available between Kaduna and Abuja
In 2015, a travel website rated the Nigeria’s Port Harcourt International Airport the worst in the world, describing it as “the dirtiest and most corrupt airport in Africa.”
Nigeria’s aviation sector took a beating last year as currency controls made it difficult for airlines to obtain sufficient funds to pay suppliers, with many curtailing and some suspending operations.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Video - Nigeria's government launches $15 monthly stipend for vulnerable groups
As part of its efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians, President Buhari's administration has started providing 15 dollar monthly stipends to some of the country's poorest and most vulnerable communities.The first round of payouts covered nine states -- including Borno, Kwara and Bauchi. Many beneficiaries have already reported receiving their stipends. Funds for another five states will follow soon. The government has also set up a Homegrown School Feeding Programme in three states, providing meals to pupils.
3 girl suicide bombers killed in Nigeria
Three girl suicide bombers targeting a bustling market in northeastern Nigeria were gunned down Wednesday, civilian and military officials said. They blamed the Boko Haram Islamic extremist group for the attempted bombing.
The civilian fighters who work alongside the army challenged the girls as they approached a village near Madagali town, local council chairman Yusuf Muhammad Gulak told The Associated Press.
The girls began running at the checkpoint and the fighters shot the girl in the lead, activating her explosives and killing her and a companion, he said. The third girl tried to flee and was gunned down, Gulak said.
Army spokesman Maj. Badare Akintoye confirmed the shootings, adding: "Our soldiers are on alert and commercial activities are going on" at the targeted market.
Soldiers and civilian fighters have stopped many suicide bombers before they can reach heavily populated targets in recent months. But two female suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded 177, including 120 children, last month at Madagali market, 20 kilometres from the scene of Wednesday's shootings.
Boko Haram has used scores of women and girls as young as seven in suicide bombings that have killed hundreds. Some of the bombers are suspected to have been previously kidnapped.
A multinational force of troops from Nigeria and its neighbours has driven the Islamic extremists from most of the towns and villages where they had declared a caliphate to help create an Islamic state in Nigeria, a country of 170 million people divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians.
Nigeria's president declared that Boko Haram had been crushed last month, but there's unlikely to be a swift end to the suicide bombings and attacks on remote villages and army outposts.
Boko Haram's seven-year-old Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis that the UN says has 5.1 million people facing starvation.
The civilian fighters who work alongside the army challenged the girls as they approached a village near Madagali town, local council chairman Yusuf Muhammad Gulak told The Associated Press.
The girls began running at the checkpoint and the fighters shot the girl in the lead, activating her explosives and killing her and a companion, he said. The third girl tried to flee and was gunned down, Gulak said.
Army spokesman Maj. Badare Akintoye confirmed the shootings, adding: "Our soldiers are on alert and commercial activities are going on" at the targeted market.
Soldiers and civilian fighters have stopped many suicide bombers before they can reach heavily populated targets in recent months. But two female suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded 177, including 120 children, last month at Madagali market, 20 kilometres from the scene of Wednesday's shootings.
Boko Haram has used scores of women and girls as young as seven in suicide bombings that have killed hundreds. Some of the bombers are suspected to have been previously kidnapped.
A multinational force of troops from Nigeria and its neighbours has driven the Islamic extremists from most of the towns and villages where they had declared a caliphate to help create an Islamic state in Nigeria, a country of 170 million people divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians.
Nigeria's president declared that Boko Haram had been crushed last month, but there's unlikely to be a swift end to the suicide bombings and attacks on remote villages and army outposts.
Boko Haram's seven-year-old Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis that the UN says has 5.1 million people facing starvation.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Video - Efforts are under way to rebuild north-eastern Nigeria
What are Nigerian authorities doing to rebuild the north-eastern part of the country after the Boko Haram insurgency? CGTN's Kelechi Emekalam sat down with Nigerian presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu for more details.
Video - Former Nigerian leaders sing for peace and goodwill in 2017
A video shared by vice president Yemi Osinbajo on his social media account showing some past leaders of Nigeria singing hymns for the deliverance of the country from its multiple challenges has been trending online.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Video - Nigeria's first digital bank issuing loans to small business
Imagine getting a loan from a bank without the usual collateral, within just 72 hours of applying. It may sound impossible -- especially in a country like Nigeria, where securing credit is a difficult process. But one start-up is making it possible for small businesses.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Video - Government cuts 50,000 non-existent public workers from payroll
Nigeria has removed 50,000 ghost workers from its public payroll over the past 11 months. Essentially, people who don't exist have been receiving salaries. Authorities say it's part of a scheme that ripped off the public to the tune of 600 million dollars this year alone. Kelechi Emekalam reports from Abuja.
Toronto sisters post apology video for causing Nigeria sex scandal
In a bizarre video posted to YouTube on Thursday, the two Toronto sisters detained in a sex scandal in Nigeria appear to have issued an apology.
“We apologize to Femi Otedola and his family, especially his wife and children, and all the other petitioners,” a woman who appears to be Jyoti Matharoo says in the 45-second video, while another woman — apparently her sister Kiran Matharoo — stands beside her.
The sisters were charged last week after being accused of cyberbullying and attempting to blackmail numerous moneyed Nigerian men with photos of sex acts, according to reports in Nigerian media.
Police in Nigeria have alleged the sisters targeted Otedola, who is a billionaire oil tycoon.
The accusations against the sisters made headlines in Nigeria and in Canada. Photos of their Kardashian-like Instagram accounts show a lavish jet-setting lifestyle, complete with cocktails, expensive handbags, and the latest fashions.
In Thursday’s video, posted by an account called Linda Ikeji TV, the Matharoo sisters appear standing, Jyoti in a black dress and Kiran in a black jumpsuit.
Jyoti speaks to the camera while reading off a phone, while the other woman looks on.
“We created a platform called Naijagistlive.com and .co where people can send in stories,” Jyoti says. “Most stories were sent by close friends or associates of people being written about. The intention was not to hurt anyone or to be malicious. The intention was not to extort anyone. We haven’t received any money from this website.”
She goes on to say “the money” went to someone else.
“We are again very sorry and we assure all the petitioners that we will not have any affiliation whatsoever with this website or any other website that has to do with this,” Jyoti continues.
“We promise not to say anything of the contrary to what we are saying now. We freely volunteer to make this video, and not under duress, because we are aware of the damages done to people.”
NAFDAC says rice contaminated, not plastic.
Lab tests on a consignment of rice seized by Nigerian customs officials show that the product is "contaminated" but not plastic, the National Agency For Food and Drugs (Nafdac) says.
The rice contained bacteria "above permissible limits", a senior Nafdac official said.
Customs officials' claims that the rice seized in Lagos last week was "plastic" sparked confusion and official denials.
The health minister intervened, saying there was "no evidence" for the claims.
Tests on samples of the rice showed that it was "unwholesome for human consumption", exceeding the maximum limit for bacteria including "Coli form", Nafdac said in a statement.
The Nigerian customs service, speaking at the same press conference, said that it had acted on "credible intelligence" that "large consignments of plasticized rice were.... to be shipped from the Far East to Africa".
Regardless of the outcome of the lab tests, intelligence still indicated that "several metric tonnes of expired and dangerous rice are still lying in wait at warehouses in neighbouring countries", with the Nigerian market the ultimate destination, customs chief Ibrahim Ali told media.
Rice is Nigeria's staple food and it is a tradition for people to give bags of rice as a gift during the Christmas period.
The rice contained bacteria "above permissible limits", a senior Nafdac official said.
Customs officials' claims that the rice seized in Lagos last week was "plastic" sparked confusion and official denials.
The health minister intervened, saying there was "no evidence" for the claims.
Tests on samples of the rice showed that it was "unwholesome for human consumption", exceeding the maximum limit for bacteria including "Coli form", Nafdac said in a statement.
The Nigerian customs service, speaking at the same press conference, said that it had acted on "credible intelligence" that "large consignments of plasticized rice were.... to be shipped from the Far East to Africa".
Regardless of the outcome of the lab tests, intelligence still indicated that "several metric tonnes of expired and dangerous rice are still lying in wait at warehouses in neighbouring countries", with the Nigerian market the ultimate destination, customs chief Ibrahim Ali told media.
Rice is Nigeria's staple food and it is a tradition for people to give bags of rice as a gift during the Christmas period.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Video - Nigerian army freed hundreds from Boko Haram
Hundreds of Boko Haram prisoners have been freed during an army offensive in northern Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari says Boko Haram has been defeated in its war for an Islamic state.
Fighters have fled their last remaining stronghold in Sambisa Forest.
Al Jazeera is the only media organisation that has entered the forest since its recapture by the army.
Video - Niger Delta militants express readiness to dialogue with government
Niger delta militants are have been attacking oil pipelines in Nigeria have formally agreed to hold talks with the government. President Muhammadu Buhari's earlier this year appealed to the militants to come to enter into negotiations the government. The militants now say the decision to embrace dialogue was reached after a meeting held under the auspices of the Coalition of Niger Delta Group.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Video - Sunday Oliseh cautions Gabon on Aubameyang's overdependence
Former Nigerian coach Sunday oliseh has cautioned Gabon against solely relying on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the African cup of nations. The former super eagles player also says Nigeria will overcome the crisis engulfing the football sector.
Video - Nigeria to turn Sambisa forest into training ground for its troops
Nigeria's military is set to turn the Sambisa forest, a former bastion of militant Islamist group Boko Haram, into a training centre for its troops. The new base will also be used as ground for testing acquired equipment before putting them into operation. The move is to prevent the militants from rebuilding a presence in the area. Last Friday, Nigeria's military overran the militants' last camp in the forest. Sambisa had become their main base after they lost control of urban strongholds in north-eastern Borno state in 2015.
MTN issues first payment to Nigeria for $254 million fine
Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria has paid $254 million of the $1 billion fine imposed on it for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered sim cards in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu said the company paid the sum as the first installment out of the three years given for the completion of the payment.
MTN was initially fined $5.2 billion but the fine was later reduced to $1 billion after negotiating the fine with the Nigerian government.
The fine, according to the law is $636 for each unregistered sim cards and in this instance, MTN’s violation was to the tune of five million lines.
Shittu said MTN accepted that they were in default, apologised for it, made a commitment never to allow such a thing to happen again and asked for remission.
Should the company had paid the initial sum of over $5 billion dollars, the minister said the mobile operator would have folded up hence the need to reconsider the fine.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu said the company paid the sum as the first installment out of the three years given for the completion of the payment.
MTN was initially fined $5.2 billion but the fine was later reduced to $1 billion after negotiating the fine with the Nigerian government.
The fine, according to the law is $636 for each unregistered sim cards and in this instance, MTN’s violation was to the tune of five million lines.
Shittu said MTN accepted that they were in default, apologised for it, made a commitment never to allow such a thing to happen again and asked for remission.
Should the company had paid the initial sum of over $5 billion dollars, the minister said the mobile operator would have folded up hence the need to reconsider the fine.
Nigerian army searching for kidnapped Chibok girls
After the Nigerian army claimed victory over Boko Haram in the armed group's forest stronghold, a commander at the forefront of the battle says the search is still on for the missing Chibok girls.
The army captured the Sambisa Forest in the country's east over the weekend.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, the army commander, said that while his soldiers had made significant gains, they had not been able to track down the missing girls who were captured by Boko Haram in April 2014.
About 200 of the 276 Chibok girls who were taken remain missing. Some were believed to be in the Sambisa Forest.
"We are still searching for our dear daughters," Ezugwu said. "As I speak to you now, we've not been able to make contact with them because the insurgents are running away with the girls. We are still trailing them."
He added that "so far, we have rescued over 1,900 Nigerian citizens [from captivity]".
He said the operation against Boko Haram is ongoing.
"It's not finished business. It's a work in progress. At the end of the day it's a bright light at the end of the tunnel," he said.
While Nigerian authorities say they are working hard to find the missing girls, there are concerns over how those who have been freed are treated.
Kidnapped girls freed from more than two years of captivity were prevented by Nigerian officials from spending Christmas at home with their families and relatives, a lawyer said on Tuesday.
Parents said they were taken to see their daughters, but the girls who were not allowed to go home or go to a church service.
The news raised questions about Nigeria's handling of the 21 girls freed in October by negotiation with the group.
'Final defeat'
Boko Haram's insurgency began in Maiduguri, though it has since spread beyond Nigeria's borders to Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Nearly 15,000 civilians have been killed since 1999, when Boko Haram launched a campaign to establish an Islamic state.
"We are on top of the situation, all hands are still on deck," Ezugwu said. "This defeat is final and it [Boko Haram] will not spread to other parts of West Africa."
His comments echoed those of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who on Saturday announced the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists" in a message posted to his Twitter feed.
Army officials told Al Jazeera that it took around 40 minutes to breach Boko Haram defences in Sambisa Forest.
"Now the biggest task of retaking Sambisa is over, the problem is how to secure the location," said Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, who is embedded with the army in Sambisa. "This whole area is booby trapped and mined."
Elsewhere, 31 Boko Haram fighters surrendered to authorities in Niger's southeast region, the West African country's Interior Minister Bazoum Mohamed announced on Tuesday.
Boko Haram has been carrying out attacks in Niger since February 2015.
"They came one by one and are currently held in a secure centre," a security source based in Diffa told the AFP news agency, adding that they would return to their families after undergoing a "de-radicalisation" programme.
The army captured the Sambisa Forest in the country's east over the weekend.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, the army commander, said that while his soldiers had made significant gains, they had not been able to track down the missing girls who were captured by Boko Haram in April 2014.
About 200 of the 276 Chibok girls who were taken remain missing. Some were believed to be in the Sambisa Forest.
"We are still searching for our dear daughters," Ezugwu said. "As I speak to you now, we've not been able to make contact with them because the insurgents are running away with the girls. We are still trailing them."
He added that "so far, we have rescued over 1,900 Nigerian citizens [from captivity]".
He said the operation against Boko Haram is ongoing.
"It's not finished business. It's a work in progress. At the end of the day it's a bright light at the end of the tunnel," he said.
While Nigerian authorities say they are working hard to find the missing girls, there are concerns over how those who have been freed are treated.
Kidnapped girls freed from more than two years of captivity were prevented by Nigerian officials from spending Christmas at home with their families and relatives, a lawyer said on Tuesday.
Parents said they were taken to see their daughters, but the girls who were not allowed to go home or go to a church service.
The news raised questions about Nigeria's handling of the 21 girls freed in October by negotiation with the group.
'Final defeat'
Boko Haram's insurgency began in Maiduguri, though it has since spread beyond Nigeria's borders to Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Nearly 15,000 civilians have been killed since 1999, when Boko Haram launched a campaign to establish an Islamic state.
"We are on top of the situation, all hands are still on deck," Ezugwu said. "This defeat is final and it [Boko Haram] will not spread to other parts of West Africa."
His comments echoed those of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who on Saturday announced the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists" in a message posted to his Twitter feed.
Army officials told Al Jazeera that it took around 40 minutes to breach Boko Haram defences in Sambisa Forest.
"Now the biggest task of retaking Sambisa is over, the problem is how to secure the location," said Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, who is embedded with the army in Sambisa. "This whole area is booby trapped and mined."
Elsewhere, 31 Boko Haram fighters surrendered to authorities in Niger's southeast region, the West African country's Interior Minister Bazoum Mohamed announced on Tuesday.
Boko Haram has been carrying out attacks in Niger since February 2015.
"They came one by one and are currently held in a secure centre," a security source based in Diffa told the AFP news agency, adding that they would return to their families after undergoing a "de-radicalisation" programme.
Video - Toronto sisters accused of blackmailing Nigerian billionaire released on bail
Two sisters in Nigeria with ties to Toronto have been released on bail after being detained for allegedly attempting to blackmail a billionaire with claims he cheated on his wife.
According to the website Politics Nigeria, Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo operated a website called naijagistlive. It’s alleged the sisters cyber-bullied several high-ranking men, including a billionaire named Femi Otedola, and accused them of cheating and seeing prostitutes.
Politics Nigeria said the sisters tried to blackmail Otedola by claiming they had evidence of him having an affair.
“It was also discovered that the girls recorded conversations and s*x (sic) romps with their rich clients which comprise of politicians, club owners and businessmen.”
The report said the sisters contacted the clients through a third party and demanded they pay “thousands of dollars or risk the release of the recordings/pictures/videos online through their website.”
Politics Nigeria said sources told them Otedola contacted police to report the blackmail attempt. It said the sisters made “a confessional statement” saying they were behind the website and made an apology to Otedola.
The article said the sisters were arraigned at the Yaba Megistrate Court on Friday. The case will be heard again on Jan. 26.
The online article contains a picture of a document entitled “Criminal Undertaking” which lists several allegations.
“From time to time, I charged various individuals for the removal of certain content posted on the site, as well as for the posting of certain information about various people,” it also said.
The document has the name Taranjot Matharoo printed at the top with a west-end Toronto address and it is signed by Kiranjot Matharoo at the bottom, along with a Toronto-based phone number.
A spokeswoman from Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that consular services are being provided to Canadian citizens detained in Lagos, Nigeria. However, she said further details couldn’t be released due to privacy issues.
Salem Moussallam, who said he has been friends with the sisters for around five years, described the pair as “socialites” and said he was “very shocked” about what happened.
He said the sisters have been released on bail and the situation has been “blown way too much out of proportion.”
Moussallam said he spoke with Jyoti as recently as Monday.
“They’re saying, ‘We’re all right. We’re fine. We’ll come and see you – back soon. We’re going to be going to (Las) Vegas,’” adding the pair don’t live in Nigeria.
Global News hasn’t been able to independently confirm the allegations contained in the Politics Nigeria article.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Toronto sisters arrested in Lagos for allegedly cyberbullying Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola
Two sisters from Toronto with a substantial Instagram following have been detained in Lagos, Nigeria, reportedly to face allegations that they tried to extort and cyber-bully a Nigerian billionaire.
According to the news site Politics Nigeria, sisters Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo are accused of trying to blackmail the billionaire by claiming they had evidence of businessman Femi Otedola cheating on his wife that they would post on a notorious sex-scandal website. Forbes magazine’s list of 2016 billionaires says Otedola made his money in the energy sector; it estimates his net worth at $1.8 billion.
Following a private investigation, the sisters were arrested, the publication said.
According to a court document dated Dec. 20 and posted to Nigeria Politics, the sisters stand accused of being “responsible” for the website NaijaGistLive and several other social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter used for “cyberbullying” around 274 people, “mostly based in various regions of Africa.”
A Toronto home address has been entered in the document for the sisters.
Combined, Jyoti and Kiran have nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram. Other local media supported the Politics Nigeria account of the sisters’ legal troubles.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed to the Star that consular services were being provided to the Canadian citizens who have been detained in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to the news site Politics Nigeria, sisters Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo are accused of trying to blackmail the billionaire by claiming they had evidence of businessman Femi Otedola cheating on his wife that they would post on a notorious sex-scandal website. Forbes magazine’s list of 2016 billionaires says Otedola made his money in the energy sector; it estimates his net worth at $1.8 billion.
Following a private investigation, the sisters were arrested, the publication said.
According to a court document dated Dec. 20 and posted to Nigeria Politics, the sisters stand accused of being “responsible” for the website NaijaGistLive and several other social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter used for “cyberbullying” around 274 people, “mostly based in various regions of Africa.”
A Toronto home address has been entered in the document for the sisters.
Combined, Jyoti and Kiran have nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram. Other local media supported the Politics Nigeria account of the sisters’ legal troubles.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed to the Star that consular services were being provided to the Canadian citizens who have been detained in Lagos, Nigeria.
Video - Nigeria mulls banning black market trade to protect naira
Nigeria plans banning black market trading to protect its currency, the naira from further depreciation. The Nigerian unit touched a 492 per dollar low last week, as the difference between the official rate and black market rate continues to widen. The naira trades at an average of 315 on the official market.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Video - Nigeria claims capture of Boko Haram base in Sambisa
Nigerian president says fighters "on the run" after army seizes their "last enclave of Sambisa Forest" in Borno state.
Video - Economic hardship forces Nigerians to cut back, even on essentials
In Nigeria rising inflation and dwindling income is dampening the festive mood to many. Nigeria is struggling to lift itself from the worst recession in decades and many can't find enough money to afford essential goods and services during the festive season.
Video - Nigeria's Aruna Quadri first African to reach table tennis quarters
The Olympic Games were not just about winning medals, some athletes like Aruna Quadri made history by breaking new ground in Table Tennis.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Video - CBN's special auction to clear backlog of dollar obligations
Nigeria's Central Bank will hold a special foreign exchange auction to clear a backlog of outstanding dollar demand for selected sectors. It has asked commercial lenders to submit the backlog for dollar demand from fuel importers, airlines, as well as manufacturing and agricultural firms. These sectors have seen severe foreign exchange shortages hamper, at best, but more often, cripple their operations.
Nigeria denies plastic rice being sold in Nigeria
Nigeria's government has denied reports that "plastic rice" was being sold in the country, days after the customs service said 2.5 tonnes of the contraband had been confiscated.
Health Minister Isaac Adewole tweeted that tests by the food safety agency found "no evidence" of plastic material.
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said on Wednesday the fake rice was intended to be sold during the festive season.
Rice is Nigeria's staple food.
Mr Mamudu has not commented on the health minister's statement.
It is not clear where the seized sacks came from but rice made from plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Mr Adewole said the agency would "release detailed findings to public as soon as it concludes investigations", urging Nigerians to remain calm.
Mr Mamudu had said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Lagos, who felt the rice, said it looked real but had a faint chemical odour.
The Lagos customs chief had called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Health Minister Isaac Adewole tweeted that tests by the food safety agency found "no evidence" of plastic material.
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said on Wednesday the fake rice was intended to be sold during the festive season.
Rice is Nigeria's staple food.
Mr Mamudu has not commented on the health minister's statement.
It is not clear where the seized sacks came from but rice made from plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Mr Adewole said the agency would "release detailed findings to public as soon as it concludes investigations", urging Nigerians to remain calm.
Mr Mamudu had said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Lagos, who felt the rice, said it looked real but had a faint chemical odour.
The Lagos customs chief had called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Related story: Plastic rice confiscated in Nigeria
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Video - Boko Haram: Behind the Rise of Nigeria's Armed Group
An investigation into the origins and ideology of the rebel group and its bloody rise.
Abuja airport closed for repairs
Nigeria says it will close the main airport in the capital Abuja, in order to carry out a major upgrade.
The airport will be closed for six weeks, starting in February 2017.
The announcement comes after airlines threatened to stop flying to Abuja because of safety concerns over the state of the runway.
During the repairs, domestic and international flights to Abuja will be diverted to the city of Kaduna more than 160km (100 miles) away.
BBC Nigeria correspondent Martin Patience says passengers diverted to Kaduna will face a two-hour journey along a road that has recently been hit by a spate of kidnappings.
The hour-long flight from Nigeria's commercial centre Lagos to the capital is used as a shuttle by many businesses.
Critics are warning that the closure will prove hugely damaging to the country's economy, which is already reeling from its worst recession in decades.
But the government says that by carrying out the major work in one go, it will not have to make smaller repairs in the future.
The airport will be closed for six weeks, starting in February 2017.
The announcement comes after airlines threatened to stop flying to Abuja because of safety concerns over the state of the runway.
During the repairs, domestic and international flights to Abuja will be diverted to the city of Kaduna more than 160km (100 miles) away.
BBC Nigeria correspondent Martin Patience says passengers diverted to Kaduna will face a two-hour journey along a road that has recently been hit by a spate of kidnappings.
The hour-long flight from Nigeria's commercial centre Lagos to the capital is used as a shuttle by many businesses.
Critics are warning that the closure will prove hugely damaging to the country's economy, which is already reeling from its worst recession in decades.
But the government says that by carrying out the major work in one go, it will not have to make smaller repairs in the future.
Celebration of former governor of Delta release from jail condemned
Some Nigerians on Thursday expressed displeasure with the celebration of the release of James Ibori, a former Delta Governor, from a prison in London. They said in Lagos that such celebration was condemnable, unfortunate and uncalled for.
They said in Lagos that such celebration was condemnable, unfortunate and uncalled for.
The former governor of Delta was on Wednesday released from prison in London, U.K. Ibori was jailed in 2012, two years after he was arrested by the Interpol in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where he was hiding after fleeing Nigeria.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Southwark Crown Court on April 17, 2012 after pleading guilty to 10-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. In spite of his guilty plea and conviction for corruption, his kinsmen at Oghara and other Urhobo communities in the Delta, however, turned the affair to a carnival as they lined up major streets dancing. There was wild jubilation in Delta following the news of the release of the former governor.
The former governor of Delta was on Wednesday released from prison in London, U.K. Ibori was jailed in 2012, two years after he was arrested by the Interpol in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where he was hiding after fleeing Nigeria.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Southwark Crown Court on April 17, 2012 after pleading guilty to 10-count charge of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. In spite of his guilty plea and conviction for corruption, his kinsmen at Oghara and other Urhobo communities in the Delta, however, turned the affair to a carnival as they lined up major streets dancing. There was wild jubilation in Delta following the news of the release of the former governor.
A retired teacher, Mr Augustine, said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians celebrated criminals and those who contributed to the bad situation of the country. “It’s a shame that we are celebrating those who had contributed the increased unemployment rate in the country, lack of healthcare services, dwindling standard of education and failed democracy among other challenges. “Until we start to change our ways and mindset, we will continue to wallow in our problems in the nation,’’ Igwe said. In his views, Mr Sesan Adeleye, a businessman, said such jubilation showed that politicians had successfully brainwashed some citizens with ill-gotten wealth. “The problem of some Nigerians is a clear case of poverty of the mind.
We value wealth so much. They are not even bothered about why he went to prison. “They are already waiting for him to come back so that he can continue to distribute ill-gotten money to them. “They don’t even care that the money stolen was meant for their welfare and development,’’ he said. Also, Dr Edewede Iyamu, a private physician, told NAN that the celebration over Ibori’s release was uncalled for as he also contributed to the pervasively poor and under developed state of the Niger Delta. “Those from Niger Delta continue to blame the Federal Government for the challenges confronting their region, whereas, people like Ibori should be held responsible. “It is sad that people from that region are now celebrating him,’’ she said.
A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mr Adekunle Aribisala, said something must be done to stop the celebration of criminality in the country as it was becoming rampant. Aribisala also expressed worry that it would not be easy for the Western community to release the money in question — 18 million Pounds — to the Nigerian government. “We had the same situation when Chief Bode George and Mr Hamza Al-Mustapha were released too, now it’s Ibori. I feel really ashamed as a Nigerian. “We do not need people like that in our society any longer. They need to be isolated so they don’t corrupt more people,’’ he said.
In her opinion, Alhaja Aishe Jelil, a civil servant, said the future of the youth who were being used by politicians called for concern. “We seem to have lost our values in this society, I wonder what the future holds for our future generations. They are celebrating Ibori because they consider him a hero and a role mode,’’ she said.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Video - UN Commissioner calls for long-term development aid solutions in Nigeria
The UN High commissioner for refugees wants aid intervention to North-east Nigeria to incorporate long term development aid. Filipo Grandi's comment follows first hand assessment of the humanitarian crisis in Borno state in north east Nigeria.
Former Delta governor James Ibori released from prison
He was released a few minutes past noon upon a court order. His media aide, Mr. Tony Elumenor confirmed the release to Vanguard. Ibori was sentenced by a United Kingdom court to prison for 13 years and served out his term midnight yesterday. Expectation of his return home to Nigeria, however, remains murky as friends and associates many of who are gathered in London deliberate on the future of the former governor.
Plastic rice confiscated in Nigeria
Nigeria has confiscated 102 bags of "plastic rice" smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen, the customs service says.
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said the fake rice was intended to be sold in markets during the festive season.
He said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
It is not clear where the seized bags came from but rice made of plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Rice is the most popular staple food in Nigeria.
The BBC's Peter Okwoche says it is the only foodstuff that crosses cultural and ethnic lines across the country.
Investigations are under way to establish how much of the contraband has already been sold.
The customs official called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Mr Mamudu did not explain how the plastic rice was made but said it had been branded as "Best Tomato Rice".
Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu said the fake rice was intended to be sold in markets during the festive season.
He said the rice was very sticky after it was boiled and "only God knows what would have happened" if people ate it.
It is not clear where the seized bags came from but rice made of plastic pellets was found in China last year.
Rice is the most popular staple food in Nigeria.
The BBC's Peter Okwoche says it is the only foodstuff that crosses cultural and ethnic lines across the country.
Investigations are under way to establish how much of the contraband has already been sold.
The customs official called on "economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal" business activity.
Mr Mamudu did not explain how the plastic rice was made but said it had been branded as "Best Tomato Rice".
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