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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
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven have intervened in a reported farm destruction incident in Lamingo village, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:10 a.m. on May 3 when troops of Sector 1 (Sub-Sector 12), Lamingo, responded to a distress report of cattle grazing within the compound of one Mrs. Shittu Yakubu.
The sources disclosed that upon arrival, the troops intercepted the cattle, while the herder fled the scene on sighting security personnel.
According to the sources, the owner of the cattle, identified as Alhaji Mamuda Ibrahim, has since been contacted to facilitate an amicable resolution of the incident.
They added that the situation was brought under control without further escalation.
The sources noted that efforts are ongoing to strengthen community engagement and prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the area.
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued five kidnapped victims following a swift response to a kidnap incident along the Okpella–Okene Road in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 12:43 a.m. on May 3 by troops of 195 Battalion (Reinforced) deployed at Forward Operating Base Okpella.
The sources disclosed that the troops, while on night patrol, responded to a distress call indicating that a vehicle had been attacked and its occupants abducted.
According to the sources, the troops immediately pursued the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bush.
They added that five victims were successfully rescued during the operation, while two of them sustained injuries.
The injured victims were evacuated to the ENAW Dialysis Centre for medical attention, while others were stabilised.
The sources noted that follow-up operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities along the axis.
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
By Zagazola Makama
The recent arrest and handover of Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack, to the Department of Security Services has sparked predictable debates about free speech, accountability, and the limits of online activism. But beneath the noise lies a more serious issue one that goes beyond blogging and into the sensitive terrain of national security.
From available details, the turning point was not mere criticism of the military. Democracies tolerate, and even benefit from, scrutiny of their institutions. The red line appears to have been crossed when private conversations between the blogger and serving soldiers suggested alignment around “change of government.” In any country, that phrase, especially when involving active-duty personnel is not taken lightly. No professional military, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, would ignore such signals once credible evidence emerges.
The Nigerian Army’s response, therefore, should be viewed through that lens. This is an institution that has, in recent months, remained alert to internal and external threats, including failed attempts by rogue elements to destabilise the system. When a civilian is perceived rightly or wrongly to be encouraging disaffection or coercing soldiers within the ranks, it triggers an entirely different category of concern. At that point, it is no longer about opinion, it becomes a question of discipline, cohesion, and national stability.
This is where many content creators must draw a hard lesson. The digital space is not a vacuum. Conversations especially with uniformed personnel carry consequences. Amplifying unverified allegations, engaging soldiers in sensitive political discussions, or projecting narratives that could be interpreted as incitement can quickly move from advocacy into dangerous territory. The line is not always visible, but it is very real.
There is also the broader issue of responsibility. Too often, fragments of internal grievances are pushed into the public domain without context or verification, feeding a cycle where the military is portrayed only through its shortcomings. While criticism is legitimate, a pattern of reckless amplification erodes public confidence and, more importantly, can embolden hostile actors who thrive on internal discord.
If indeed the conversations attributed to Justice Mark Chidiebere reflect attempts to influence serving soldiers toward political ends, then the response by authorities was not just expected; it was inevitable.
What we must all know is that freedom of expression does not extend to actions that could undermine the stability of the state. In an era where a single message can travel faster than any bullet, knowing where the line is and choosing not to cross it has never been more important.
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
Troops Intervene in Farm Destruction Incident in Plateau, Move for Peaceful Resolution
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi After Pursuit of Abductors
Where Justice Mark Chidiebere Crossed the Line
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