FG Vows to Amplify Women’s Voices, Push for Gender Equality in Leadership

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has renewed its pledge to safeguard women’s and girls’ rights, promising to expand their influence in Nigeria’s leadership and development sectors.

Speaking at the annual Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) planning meeting, organized by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that the government will intensify collaborative efforts to ensure women gain greater access to leadership roles, productive assets, and socio-economic opportunities.

Represented by Ebele Obiefuna, the Minister lauded ActionAid’s role in strengthening women’s organizations and driving empowerment programs nationwide. “We value this partnership and reaffirm our commitment to initiatives that create lasting impact for women across Nigeria,” she said.

Highlighting government support, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Bagudu, represented by Mrs. Tonia Okangbe, assured participants that ministries would back programs advancing women’s leadership and rights.

ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, revealed that RWVL is entering its second phase, building on successes that have strengthened women’s political participation, advocacy, and socio-economic influence. He stressed that the initiative is designed to ensure that women’s voices are not only heard but shape decision-making processes at all levels.

“This is about more than programmes,” Mamedu said. “It’s about creating a future where women’s leadership is visible, respected, and transformative for communities across Nigeria.”

The meeting signals a renewed focus on closing gender gaps in leadership, empowering women economically, and ensuring that their contributions to governance and society are recognized and amplified.

FG Vows to Amplify Women’s Voices, Push for Gender Equality in Leadership

ISWAP fighters express apprehension over safety of families after airstrikes in Sambisa

By: Zagazola Makama

Fresh intelligence indicating apprehension among suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters over the condition of their families following recent air operations in Sambisa Forest points to growing internal strain within the group.

Security sources said the concerns emerged after Nigerian Air Force (NAF) components of Operation Hadin Kai conducted precision strikes on insurgent positions in the Sambisa axis of Borno State.

According to the intelligence, a suspected ISWAP fighter identified as Shettima, alongside associates operating around the Limanti axis along the Maiduguri–Mafa road, expressed frustration over delayed and conflicting information regarding the impact of the air operations.

He was said to have lamented that news of the strikes reached him late and questioned the accuracy of information being circulated among fighters regarding the fate of their relatives.

Another associate, identified as Abu Fatima, was quoted in the intelligence as explaining that senior commanders had discouraged the sharing of operational or casualty details with fighters and their families, warning that such disclosures could attract internal sanctions.

He further suggested that during the air operations, fighters reportedly fled from targeted locations while some of their family members, including women and children, were gathered at a separate location.

He said that NAF subsequently struck an accurate hit of fighters, resulting in casualties and injuries.

The sources also indicated that while some affected individuals were receiving treatment within insurgent-held enclaves, others had sustained severe injuries, including amputations, while a number had reportedly been treated and discharged.

Sources say the development reflects increasing psychological pressure within the group, as sustained aerial bombardments continue to disrupt its operational stability and command confidence.

The Military under Operation Hadin Kai has continued to degrade insurgent mobility, logistics and cohesion, forcing fighters to contend not only with battlefield losses but also growing uncertainty over the safety of their families.

They note that beyond physical losses, the insurgents are increasingly grappling with fear, misinformation and distrust, particularly over the fate of relatives caught in conflict zones.

They argue that such pressure may further weaken morale within ISWAP ranks and intensify internal distrust between field fighters and senior commanders, particularly over communication gaps and casualty reporting.

However, while sustained air operations are yielding operational gains, continued pressure on insurgent strongholds will require a combination of air, ground and intelligence-driven coordination to consolidate long-term stability in the North East.

urgent strongholds in Sambisa and surrounding axes, weakening morale and disrupting command confidence.

However, they caution that consolidating gains will require sustained coordination between air and ground components, as well as improved intelligence exploitation to further degrade insurgent recovery capacity in the region.

ISWAP fighters express apprehension over safety of families after airstrikes in Sambisa

Zamfara: GOC 8 Division assesses troop readiness, urges vigilance

By: Zagazola Makama

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 2, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. BP Koughna, has conducted an operational visit to assess the combat readiness of troops in Zamfara State.

Security sources said the visit took place at about 12:15 p.m. on April 7, covering key operational areas within the theatre.

During the visit, the GOC inspected troops of 1 Brigade at Combat Team 2/CSI Battalion VI in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, where he evaluated their operational preparedness.

He subsequently proceeded to Combat Team 5 Areas of Responsibility in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas, where he visited Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Moriki and Jangeru, as well as the Combat Team Headquarters in Shinkafi.

The sources said the GOC commended the troops for their efforts in ongoing operations and urged them to maintain high levels of vigilance and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

He also assured the personnel of improved administrative support to enhance their operational effectiveness.

The visit was reported to have been hitch-free.

Zamfara: GOC 8 Division assesses troop readiness, urges vigilance