News
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
•Drama aims to expose recruitment tactics of terrorist groups
By: Michael Mike
In a continued effort to counter extremist ideologies, The Truth Alliance has launched a community drama series under its “Time to Tell the Truth” campaign, aimed at exposing the recruitment tactics used by terrorist groups in Borno State.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the group’s Spokesperson, Mr. Ahmed Mustapha. The event, which took place from June 24th to 25th, was staged across various communities, including Baga Road, Bolori, Bulumkutu, Gamboru, Hausari, and Showkari in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Drama has long served as a powerful medium to convey the truths about life and its challenges. This particular drama was staged in accessible, community-based locations such as marketplaces, view centers, and other strategic places within Maiduguri, ensuring maximum reach and impact.
The play, based on a true-life story, narrated the harrowing experience of a woman who was deceived into joining Boko Haram due to dire economic needs. The narrative, told through a friend’s perspective, highlighted the woman’s predicament: choosing between leaving Boko Haram and facing poverty and stigma, or returning to the chaos within the sect.
According to the play, the woman had been deeply involved in Boko Haram before realising the group’s deceit. Her story is one of grief, survival, hopelessness, and ultimately, a new beginning as she managed to escape. The drama underscored that terrorist organisations manipulate and exploit individuals, hiding the truth and valuing human lives insignificantly.
The community response to the drama was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees expressed that the play enlightened them in both a playful and powerful way.
Kabiru Muhammad, a community stakeholder in Bolori, stressed the need for collaborative efforts to expose these recruitment strategies to prevent future occurrences. “This is a call to all of us to understand the deceiving strategy extremist groups use to recruit people to their ranks. I also call on all to use this story as an example and encourage the stakeholders to promote peace,” he said.
Ali Habib, a young resident from Showkari, urged his peers to be cautious when choosing friends, noting that bad influences can easily lead one astray, especially in the absence of employment opportunities. “Choosing a friend determines what future you want to have for yourself because when you choose someone that is into something bad, he or she would introduce you to it, especially when you are jobless,” he stated.
A woman from the Hausari community, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the importance of parental responsibility and community support. She blamed both parental negligence and the lack of community assistance for those in need.
The drama was performed in both Hausa and Kanuri languages, ensuring it was accessible to a wide audience within the region.
Mustapha in the statement also assured that The Truth Alliance remains committed to implementing localized initiatives that benefit the community through active engagement and education in combating extremist ideologies and fostering a culture of peace.
He stated: “The Truth Alliance is committed to unmasking the truth behind violent and extremist groups and empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence. Through education, outreach, and collaboration, the Truth Alliance strives to build a safer, more resilient society for all.
“In a campaign tagged ‘Time to Tell the Truth’, the Truth Alliance has come together to expose the truth behind how violent extremist groups draw young people into their ranks. Their message is simple: These groups manipulate, they deceive, they Control, they kill, they kidnap, they destroy, and their movement as well as ideology is inherently weak.”
Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*
Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
By: Yahaya Wakili
The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has paid homage to Nigeria’s Minister of Police Affairs and former Yobe State Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Gaidam, at his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued and signed by him, which was made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital,.Senator Lawan said that when His Excellency served as Executive Governor of Yobe State between 2009 and 2019, he left enduring legacies, from the introduction and implementation of visionary infrastructure projects to his tireless efforts in education, healthcare, and security.
According to him, under his leadership of the Police Affairs ministry, Sen. Gaidam, in his last year of assuming office, has recorded significant achievements in restoring security to our nation by spearheading efforts to reform and modernize the Nigeria Police Force.
He pointed out that, in addition to advocating for increased funding for the police to ensure adequate resources for operations, recruitment, and training, the ministry under His Excellency has fostered strong collaboration between the police and other security agencies, including the military, intelligence services, and community vigilante groups.
The President of the Ninth Senate revealed that this coordination has enhanced information sharing and joint operations, leading to improved security outcomes.
Senator Ahmed Lawan further said that Sen. Gaidam’s remarkable efforts as Police Affairs Minister have no doubt had a profound impact on our nation’s security landscape. Crime rates have declined significantly, public confidence in the police has been restored, and our communities are a lot safer.
“Beyond our shared history as Senators who both served in the 9th National Assembly and also exchanged views on current national issues, his insights and wisdom are invaluable to any discussion about Nigeria.
“I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be hosted by such a distinguished and respected figure. I wish His Excellency well as he continues to serve our great nation with distinction,” he said.
Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
*** Says President Tinubu’s heart is with them, makes personal donations to affected persons
By: Our Reporter
In a swift response to the suicide bombings in Gwoza area of Borno State on Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday paid a condolence visit to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the gory attacks.
He described the incident as pathetic, even as he quoted the late Dele Giwa saying, “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”
Speaking with journalists immediately after meeting and commiserating with victims of the attack at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Senator Shettima conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza.
The Vice President who made a personal donation to all the victims of the attacks and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions, saying the heart of the President is with them.
“The heart of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is with the victims and he specifically instructed us to come and offer our condolences and commiserations to the victims of this incident.
“We are here with the Director General of @nemanigeria, with the Minister of Agriculture, with the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who was here since yesterday (Sunday), and the Acting Governor. They have been working round the clock to provide succor and support to the victims,” VP Shettima stated.
Pegging the death toll at 32, the VP noted that while 42 persons injured in the suicide bomb attacks were brought to the Specialist Hospital, 14 have been discharged after receiving treatment, with 26 still receiving treatment.
He said, “It was a very pathetic scene. Our hearts go out to the victims. So far, we have recorded 32 deaths; 42 of those injured were brought in from Gwoza and about 14 have been discharged, while about 26 are currently receiving attention.”
“I want to use this forum to most sincerely register our profound gratitude to the Borno State government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and @ICRC_Nigeria for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”
While in Maiduguri, the Vice President also attended the funeral prayer for the late mother of former Borno Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajiya Aisa, at the family residence of Late Galadima Modu Sheriff along Damboa Road.
The mother to the former Governor died in Abuja on Sunday at the age of 93 after a protracted illness.
In the VP’s entourage were the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda; the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
Zulum griefs passing away of former Borno Governor’s mother
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed his grief over the passing of the mother of former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajjiya Aisa Modu Sheriff.
Hajjiya Aisa passed away on Sunday in Abuja after battling a prolonged illness at the age of 93. She was laid to rest on Monday at the family residence of the former Governor Sheriff in Maiduguri.
Zulum’s condolence was contained in a statement issued by His Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, on Monday.
Zulum noted that the passing of the fomer governor’s mother was saddening not only to her immediate family but also to thousands of the people of Borno.
Zulum extended his condolences to the former Governor, Ali Modu Sherriff, and other family members and associates for the huge loss.
Governor Zulum prays to the Almighty Allah to grant repose to the gentle soul of Hajja Aisa Modu Sherriff.
Zulum griefs passing away of former Borno Governor’s mother
Couple Arrested at Abuja Airport for Child Trafficking
Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
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