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Borno District Heads Narrate Ordeals Of Boko Haram Survivors
Borno District Heads Narrate Ordeals Of Boko Haram Survivors
By Francis Okoye
Some of the 59 distric heads from Borno Emirate Council who were trained in a-one-day workshop organised by a non- governmental organisation, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has lamented the threats, intimidation and rejection faced by some survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency in the hands of some of the repentant terrorists.
The distric heads expressed the concern during the Foundation’s presentation of the Charter of Demands from de-radicalized women and girls who were forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram insurgency, but have surrendered to the authority.
A distric head, Abba Kawu , narrated how a repented Boko Haram terrorists returned from the bush, and on realising that the wife he left behind has married another man, he sent an intimidation message to the man who married his abandoned wife, and threatened to kill him if he did not return his wife.
Kawu noted that such issues like threats, rejection and intimidation are some of the challenges facing the reconciliation process, as well as reintegration of some of the deradicalised women and girls into their respective communities.
” The repentant terrorists led some attacks in Dikwa, in Dikwa local government area of the state, and was captured by Chadian forces. After his deradicalisation and reintegration into the community, he realised that the wife he abandoned and entered the forest has married another man , he began to issue threat messages to the husband of his former wife to return her or be killed. This is despite the fact that the woman waited for him the surrendered terrorists for years before marrying another man,” the district head narrated.
Another distric head, Baba Abba Bukar, narrated how one young lady who was abducted by the terrorists escaped with the terrorist who married her in the captivity alongside their children, but on returning home, her father rejected her ,her children and the husband.
Speaking on the Charter of Demands from the de-radicalised women and girls, the distrct head of Maisandari , Alhaji Abba Bukar, said based on the demands made by the deradicalised persons forcefully conscripted into the Boko Haram terrorism for them not to be victimised, rejected or left behind after coming out from the bush, the traditional rulers decided to plead on their behalf for government and humanitarian agencies to come to their aid.
” As traditional rulers, we are also advocating for government and relevant agencies to consider the plights of the survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency . As advocate of peace and peaceful co-existence, we are appealing to the government to see how we can successfully reconcile and reintegrate the survivors into the society without stigmatisation and rejection,” the district head said.
In her remarks, the Executive Director, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said the workshop is a public presentation of the Charter of Demands of the survivors, victims and the deradicalised women to the district heads , government , security agencies, religious leaders and the larger society.
” So these traditional rulers are aligned with the larger community, as well as the religious leaders. In Borno culture, the religious scholars are the pillars of the society hence, we selected the district heads because they are more aligned with the community members and religious scholars at the grassroot.
” They will consult with the community and scholars and come up with feedback on how to address the challenges of the victims, the deradicalised women for a successful reconciliation and reintegration into the society without stigmatisation and rejection.
” The Allamin foundation had been strengthening capacities of traditional and religious leaders, as well as community leaders, and Youths vanguard, in four local government areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council ( MMC ) , Jere, Mafa and Konduga, in engaging de-radicalised women in faith based, which had led them to bring back their husbands from the bush to embrace life of diginity, ” Hamsatu Allamin said.
Borno District Heads Narrate Ordeals Of Boko Haram Survivors
Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima
By: Zagazola Makama
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Republic of Benin, describing both countries as partners bound by a “common destiny” rooted in history, trade and regional security.
Shettima stated this on Sunday in Cotonou during the inauguration of Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Vice-President said the Tinubu administration views the Nigeria–Benin relationship as strategic to regional integration and democratic stability in West Africa.
“Our presence here in Cotonou underlines President Tinubu’s unwavering, deep-seated commitment to strengthening ties with our neighbours,” he said.
Shettima noted that both countries share deep cultural, historical and economic ties that predate modern political boundaries, stressing that communities on both sides of the border remain closely connected.
“Our border with the Benin Republic stretches across nearly 600 kilometres, spanning six Nigerian states… We are essentially one people tied to a common destiny,” he added.
He said Nigeria and Benin must continue to work together to promote democratic governance, peace and economic prosperity within the ECOWAS sub-region.
“Because of this, we must show solidarity, empathy and active support toward strengthening democracy in West Africa,” he said.
The Vice-President disclosed that bilateral trade between both countries stands at about $2 billion annually, while an estimated five million Nigerians reside in Benin Republic.
He said both countries had strengthened cooperation in border security, trade facilitation, grassroots governance and ae development under regional integration frameworks.
Shettima recalled that Nigeria and Benin formalised a Memorandum of Understanding in August last year to enhance collaboration among border communities, local governments and traditional institutions in tackling cross-border crimes and boosting socio-economic development.
He said the arrangement had improved security coordination and commercial activities in border towns such as Seme, Igbokofi and Ilara, while enhancing opportunities for residents engaged in cross-border trade.
The Vice-President also referenced ongoing regional economic frameworks under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Common External Tariff system, aimed at improving the business environment across member states.
He added that both countries continue to implement the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, which allows citizens to stay within member states for up to 90 days without visa requirements.
According to him, these initiatives remain critical to strengthening regional integration and sustaining peace and prosperity in West Africa.
Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima
News
Troops Rescue INEC Official, Arrest Suspects After Election-Related Kidnapping Attempt in Cross River
Troops Rescue INEC Official, Arrest Suspects After Election-Related Kidnapping Attempt in Cross River
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have rescued an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and arrested three suspects following a reported kidnapping and disruption of election-related activities in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on May 22 when two groups of suspected kidnappers stormed the venue of ADC primary elections at Wummy Hotel, Ekori community.
According to the sources, one of the groups abducted the INEC returning officer, forced him into a vehicle, and compelled him to transfer ₦70,000 before fleeing the scene.
The second group, operating on a motorcycle, reportedly carted away ballot boxes from the venue.
Following intelligence on the incident, troops in Yakurr Local Government Area laid an ambush on the fleeing suspects, successfully intercepting the vehicle and rescuing the kidnapped INEC official.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while one armed suspect reportedly escaped into nearby bush with a pistol, a mobile phone, ATM card, travelling bag and other election materials.
The rescued official, arrested suspects and recovered vehicle are currently in military custody for further investigation and action.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen electoral materials.
Troops Rescue INEC Official, Arrest Suspects After Election-Related Kidnapping Attempt in Cross River
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 103 Battalion, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have raided a suspected cultists’ hideout in Achi town, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, arresting three suspects and recovering items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out at about 4:30 a.m. on May 23 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected cultists and other criminal elements operating in the area.
According to the sources, the troops stormed a residential building suspected to be used as a hideout by the criminal group.
During the raid, three suspects were apprehended, while items recovered include eight motorcycles and two buckets of locally made gunpowder.
The suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and necessary action.
Security authorities have continued to intensify joint operations in Enugu State and surrounding areas to curb cult-related activities and other forms of violent crime.
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
Nigeria, Benin Share Common Destiny, Deepen Strategic Partnership – Shettima
Troops Rescue INEC Official, Arrest Suspects After Election-Related Kidnapping Attempt in Cross River
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
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