Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

War Against Rebels at an End- Sudanese Government

By: Michael
Mike

Sudanese government has said the war against the rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is at its end as major factors are now against the militias.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Omer Jaboul said the take over of Al Jazeera by the Sudanese force was a major victory for the Sudanese Army, adding that the condemnation of the activities of the rebel force by United States is a big plus to the people of Sudan.

He noted that the President of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is presently consolidating on the gains recorded so far by embarking on diplomatic visits to Mali, Sierra-Leone, Guinea Bissau and Sierra to drum support for his government and seek cooperation.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since over a year ago have continued to launch a conflict of unmitigated brutality that has resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, leaving 638,000 Sudanese experiencing the worst famine in Sudan’s recent history, with over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and tens of thousands dead.

Reports have shown that the RSF and RSF-aligned militias have continued to direct attacks against civilians, systematically killing men and boys—even infants—on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence.

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in a recent statement while condemning the excesses of the militias, said: “Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies. Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan.

“The United States is committed to holding accountable those responsible for these atrocities. We are today sanctioning RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, known as Hemedti, for his role in systematic atrocities committed against the Sudanese people. We are also sanctioning seven RSF-owned companies located in the United Arab Emirates and one individual for their roles in procuring weapons for the RSF. In addition, we are today announcing Hemedti’s designation under Section 7031(c) for his involvement in gross violations of human rights in Darfur, namely the mass rape of civilians by RSF soldiers under his control. As a result of this designation, Hemedti and his immediate family members are ineligible for entry to the United States.

“Hemedti has wantonly ignored commitments under international humanitarian law, the 2023 “Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan,” and the 2024 Code of Conduct produced by the Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan initiative. This code includes commitments to allow the unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief and prevent war crimes such as sexual violence, which the RSF and aligned militias under Hemedti’s leadership have committed.”

Reacting to the US action, the Sudanese ambassador to Nigeria, urged other countries to follow suit and brand the RSF a terror group.

He said: “The allegation by American government that the militias have committed some atrocities like genocide and ethnic cleansing would go a long way in dictating the outcome of the war. This condemnation will have positive impact on the other countries to take the same step and take the same decision.

“The evidence against the militias has been shared by the Sudanese government to international organisations and agencies among them UN agencies and AU.”

War Against Rebels at an End- Sudanese Government

40 Women Get Solar Power System in Owukpa Community

By: Michael
Mike

In a bid to support a post-extractive future for Owukpa women, whose peaceful efforts led to the halting of environmentally destructive coal mining activities in their community in 2021, Yes to Life, No to Mining (YLNM)—a global solidarity network for Indigenous Peoples, impacted communities, and local organisations advocating for the right to say “No” to mining—partnered with Eco Defenders Network to distribute multi-functional solar power systems to about 40 women.

The event in Owukpa was met with great enthusiasm. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for this initiative, which will help address their energy needs at home and in their businesses.

Speaking at the event, Shehu Akowe of Eco Defenders Network, representing YLNM, emphasized that this gesture calls on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to advocate for ecologically and socially just energy alternatives. He noted the support of energy systems that value diverse ways of life and protect the land, air, and water on which everyone depends.

Akowe further stated that Nigeria’s vast solar and wind potential should be harnessed to create clean energy alternatives to coal. “Embracing these technologies will help move us beyond the violent and harmful practice of extraction, which assumes the Earth has no limits, and instead provide communities with clean energy systems.”

In response, two beneficiaries, Mrs. A.A. Cecilia and Mrs. G. Enenche, expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that this gesture would help address the long-standing issue of energy deficiency in Owukpa. They thanked the organization for the solar-powered systems, affirming that the new lights would improve their homes and businesses. They also urged the government to embrace solar energy as a viable alternative to their community’s ongoing energy access challenges.

Madam Julie Ooja, a community environmental mobilizer and member of Owukpa who has long supported her fellow women in their fight for a cleaner environment, also expressed her appreciation to YLNM for supporting Owukpa’s women. She reiterated that the women would continue to advocate for the closure of the coal mine while also calling for the development of better infrastructure, including improved roads, schools, functional hospitals, and access to clean, portable water and reliable electricity.

Shehu Akowe emphasized the importance of unity in advocating for life-sustaining, post-extractive futures that respect human dignity and environmental integrity.