Northeast
Experts Converged to Develop Framework for Transitional Justice in North East
Experts Converged to Develop Framework for Transitional Justice in North East
By: Babagana Bukar
A group of Senior Legal Academics, Solicitor Generals/Permanent Secretaries, and Personalities from related fields have converged in Abuja to develop a suitable framework for a successful Transitional Justice Programme in North East Nigeria.
The Strategic Expert Meeting for the development of Transitional Justice Framework is one of the activities under a project titled “Promoting Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State”. The project is being implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Partnership with United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the European Union (EU).
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu while delivering a welcome address at the meeting said the Commission is pleased to host the highest level of experts as far as justice machinery in the three project states of Adamawa Borno and Yobe is concerned, noting that this is for the purpose of developing a suitable framework for the Transitional Justice, a project that have been introduced to some communities in the three states.
Ojukwu, who was represented at the event by his Senior Special Adviser, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna who also doubles as the Project Coordinator, stated that: “it is highly imperative to design a framework that will best suit the communities ravaged by insurgency,” noting that ” the framework should be in conformity the values, beliefs, culture and tradition of the people, this will make it easy for the community to adapt.”
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He also stressed that “the framework must be predicated on the principles of natural justice, fair hearing, victim justice, survivor justice, equality etc” .
In his remark, the representative of the UNDP, Mr. Elia Von Rota applauded the effort of the Commission in bringing such calibre of intellectuals together to develop the framework, saying he will be pleased to be an observer at the meeting.
In his good will message, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of Adamawa State Samuel Yaumande, said the initiative is the first of its kind in the North East. He pointed out the need to have in place an effective justice system that would reconcile and reintegrate members of communities who have experienced gross human rights violations as a result of the insurgency.
He advised that “in designing the framework, it is necessary to take into consideration the need of the victims to enable them pick up their pieces of lives and move forward”.
Similarly, his Yobe State Counterpart Hajiya Kadija Alkali said the programme could not have come at a better time than now, due to the recent massive surrender of many insurgents. She said “there is need for everyone to embrace the transitional justice and reconciliation approach, because it gives hope for peace to reign among the members of the community”. She called on the experts to make concerted efforts towards having a perfect framework that will serve as a guideline to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of Borno State, who is also the Director of Civil Litigation, B M Bukar said “the justice system we adopt from the English people is alien to our culture, as such it is not suitable for us”. He described it as “unnecessarily long and boring to our people, it is not easy to enforce foreign culture on our people”. According to him, “this method of Transitional Justice and Reconciliation is the best thing that can happen to us in this region as far as making peace and reconciliation is concerned and we must all ensure that it works”.
At the event were Academics from different Universities as well as Civil Society Organizations and State Coordinators of the Commission.
Experts Converged to Develop Framework for Transitional Justice in North East
Crime
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has officially recognized the Lakurawa Group as its clandestine operational wing, formalizing a strategic corridor between its two major factions EIGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) active around Lake Chad.
The announcement, made in the wake of two deadly attacks on May 4 in Niger, marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape. On that day, armed militants attacked Dogonkiria in Dosso region, killing at least 30 security force personnel, and Danga in Tillabéri region, where six volunteer fighters for the defense of the homeland (VDPs) were slain.
Zagazola Makama believes the operational link now established between the Sarma Forest in Nigeria and Anderamboukane in Mali via central Niger will enable increased mobility for fighters, arms trafficking, intelligence sharing, and hostage transfers. This corridor, long suspected by observers, has now been confirmed as a key axis for extremist logistics.
Sources say the emergence of ISSP reflects a new phase in Islamic State operations in the region, marked by greater coordination, territorial fluidity, and strategic exploitation of Niger’s governance and airspace gaps particularly since the withdrawal or downsizing of key international security partners.
Zagazola reports that the central strip of Niger already marked by repeated attacks, pipeline sabotage, and mass civilian casualties is increasingly falling under the shadow of ISSP. Many of these incidents had previously gone unclaimed but are now attributed to the group’s covert campaign to secure this critical transit route.
Zagazola warn that if the current trend continues unchecked, the entire security architecture of West Africa may be destabilized, with spillover effects extending beyond the Sahel to Nigeria.
He called for renewed multilateral cooperation and intelligence-sharing, transcending political divisions and post-coup dynamics.
In recent months, Zagazola had raised alarm over the quiet expansion of Lakurawa, cautioning that the group was a proxy for EIGS. The confirmation by ISSP now validates those concerns, signaling an urgent need for proactive counterterrorism measures and regional solidarity.
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, rescue nine in Borno operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Hybrid Forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have cleared several terrorist enclaves in Geizua, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing nine persons in the process.
Zagazola Makama report that the operation, conducted on Friday, was led by the Brigade Commander. The clearance operation covered several objectives, including Garin Bakura Jiga, Shehutari and Kachomri.
The terrorists hastily deserted the camps as the troops were approaching. Fresh human activities were observed, indicating recent terrorist presence.
All the terrorist structures were destroyed, and the troops recovered 16 bicycles which were destroyed in situ. Two Boko Haram flags hoisted at the camps were also recovered.
The operation also led to the rescue of nine persons six women and three children believed to be families of the terrorists.
End
Troops repel ISWAP attack near Benisheikh, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attempted attack by ISWAP terrorists on their formation in the Borgozo axis near Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the attack was repelled in the early hours of Friday, as part of ongoing operations under Operation Desert Sanity IV.
According to the source, the troops detected an unspecified number of terrorists advancing towards the headquarters from the southern Borgozo.
In response, the Brigade’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to engage the terrorists in a gunfight at the Borgozo parapet.
The exchange of fire reportedly lasted about 50 minutes and was supported by fire missions and aerial reconnaissance by air assets deployed to the brigade’s area of operations.
“Upon the arrival of combat aircraft at Benisheikh, the terrorists abandoned their mission and withdrew,” the source added.
No casualty was reported on the side of the troops. But the troops are currently chasing the terrorists.
Troops repel ISWAP attack near Benisheikh, Borno
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