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Boko Haram: Truth Alliance takes counter-narrative drama to North East communities*

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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*

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Emir Says Suicide Bombers Attack Wedding, Burial Ceremonies, OthersOver 30 people killed, 100 injured

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Emir Says Suicide Bombers Attack Wedding, Burial Ceremonies, Others
Over 30 people killed, 100 injured

By: Michael Mike

The Emir of Gwoza, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta has confirmed that multiple suicide attacks were carried out at various locations, including wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town on Saturday.

It is believed that the death toll might have risen to 30 deaths as the coordinated attacks which took place on Saturday’s afternoon caused pandemonium as people had to scamper for safety.

Reliable Sources within Gwoza told journalist that: “More than 30 innocent civilians were killed with over 100 sustaining various degree of injuries, even as many of the victims have been evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention.”

Confirming the incident to journalists, the Emir of Gwoza, said: ” The entire Gwoza council area is in serious mourning following multiple suicide attacks on our community.

“The first suicide attack was masterminded by an unidentified woman who sneaked with two children into a wedding reception of a popular young man in Gwoza, she detonated her Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) killing herself and many people.

“Few minutes after, another suicide bomber sneaked into a burial ceremony at the nearby and detonated Improvised Explosive Devices, and as am talking to you now, the third explosion just occured few minutes ago with more casualties.

“At least, over 100 people were injured, and most of them who sustained serious injuries have been rushed to Maiduguri with military escort for proper medical attention.

“This is just a preliminary confirmation, as details of the casualties are still yet unknown, but I will keep you posted on the any development.”

Reacting to the incidents, member representing Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa federal constituency, Ahmed Usman Jaha, sympathized with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the multiple attacks, even as he prayed Allah to grant the souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus, and wished those who sustained injuries quick recovery

Emir Says Suicide Bombers Attack Wedding, Burial Ceremonies, Others
Over 30 people killed, 100 injured

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Nigeria: A third explosion kills a soldier; 2 CJTF in Gwoza

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Nigeria: A third explosion kills a soldier; 2 CJTF in Gwoza

By: Our Reporter

A third explosion killed a soldier and two members of civilian JTF in Gwoza town, south of Borno State, northeast Nigeria, shortly after the first and second explosions were detonated by the terrorist group today (Saturday).

Security sources said the human bomber, a female suicide bomber, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ as she grabbed the soldier before detonating the vest, which ended her life, the soldier, and two members of the civilian joint task force.

NEWSng gathered that many human bombs were released by the Islamic State for West African Provinces in the wake of fresh bomb attacks across Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

“We were informed that it was not only Gwoza that the terrorists were targeting but Maiduguri and other major towns across Borno State. For now, we are trying to get those around Gwoza as the curfew imposes, which hopefully will yield a good result.” A security source told NEWSng in Maiduguri.

Residents of Gwoza town revealed that the first detonation occurred at the wedding of one of the drivers of a non-governmental organization operating in Gwoza, while the second occurred while people were condoling with the families of the first victims of the attack, and the third explosion occurred when the military imposed a curfew and was conducting a stop-and-search on residents.

Gwoza town was formally the Caliphate of the Boko Haram insurgents before it was liberated by the Nigerian military in 2016. However, the terrorists were reportedly said to be controlling the mountainous areas around the town, a situation in which it is continuously argued that the town was not totally liberated

Nigeria: A third explosion kills a soldier; 2 CJTF in Gwoza

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Prepare for Rainy Days, Invest in UK Properties, Property Consultant Advises Nigerians

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Prepare for Rainy Days, Invest in UK Properties, Property Consultant Advises Nigerians

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians have been asked to considering investing in properties in the United Kingdom as another way of preparing for the rainy days.

Director, UK-based Property Consultancy Firm, Daniel Ford International, Yemi Edun said Nigerians owning a property in the UK is a brilliant investment and a perfect pension plan that can match inflation anytime.

Edun who spoke at the sidelines of UK Property Roadshow Holding in Abuja called on Nigerians to embrace the opportunities offered by the Berkeley Groups to own properties in the UK.

Edun said: “We won’t get involved in anything that will be untoward property-wise. So this is encouraging Nigerians to come buy homes in the UK. Yes. As an option.

“As an investment option. As a second home. As a mitigation for their currency that keeps crashing, you know.

“And you ask me who buys? We have people in inheritance money, divorce settlement, up-and-coming technology people, farmers, bankers, you know.

“They buy for a certain amount. In another 10 years that property has doubled or tripled, you know.

“It’s a good pension plan so that when you retire, you have income that can match inflation. Because imagine you buy a property and you are getting a rent of two million Naira. Two million Naira is a lot of money.”

Speaking on why London should be of particular interest, Edun said: “London is special. The age long connection is one of the reasons that people get to London and they don’t suffer a cultural shock.

“Most Nigerians can get to London and you won’t even notice he’s a foreigner. So English language, schools, medical, lifestyle, football, and it’s just six hours away.”

He said the Roadshow helps to remove some of the barriers as prospective buyers have the opportunity to meet with developers like Berkeley Groups.

He added that: “We have come with what I call the buffet of properties that we’ve hand-picked, you know, specially for them, negotiated good deals that they would otherwise not be able to get themselves.”

The Berkeley Groups is one of the leading property firms in the UK and they are quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

Prepare for Rainy Days, Invest in UK Properties, Property Consultant Advises Nigerians

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