News
Muslim Diaspora Forum: NiDCOM Seeks Joint Action Against Discrimination, Misinformation
Muslim Diaspora Forum: NiDCOM Seeks Joint Action Against Discrimination, Misinformation
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for coordinated action among Muslim diaspora communities across the world to combat discrimination, hate speech and misinformation, while strengthening their contributions to development.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call at the First Muslim Diaspora Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, where representatives from more than 47 countries gathered to discuss shared challenges and opportunities under the theme, “From Roots to Routes.”
Representing Nigeria at the forum, which was declared open by Türkiye’s Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, the NiDCOM boss argued that diaspora engagement must extend beyond the traditional emphasis on remittances to include skills transfer, investment, innovation, humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange.
In her presentation, titled “Unity in the Diaspora: Current Needs, Common Solutions,” she said the common challenges confronting diaspora communities required collective responses and stronger international partnerships.
She identified public communication, humanitarian initiatives and joint efforts against discrimination and hate speech as areas where Muslim diaspora organisations could collaborate more effectively.
Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM had continued to provide Nigerians abroad with accurate information, promote positive narratives and counter misinformation, while supporting Nigerians affected by crises and vulnerable migrants.
She also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora through medical missions, educational projects, philanthropy and other development initiatives, stressing that their impact could not be measured solely by financial remittances.
According to her, migration should not sever the relationship between citizens and their countries of origin, but should create opportunities for them to remain connected and contribute to national development.
She said the shared needs of diaspora communities—including dignity, safety, opportunity and freedom to practise their faith—demanded common solutions.
Dabiri-Erewa further disclosed that Nigeria would strengthen international cooperation on diaspora affairs and deepen relations with participating countries to harness the skills, knowledge, investments, culture and diplomatic influence of its citizens abroad.
On the sidelines of the forum, she held meetings with Fuad Muradov, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Diaspora Affairs; Sayed Ahmed, who heads Sudan’s diaspora organisation; and Zahra Zumrut, Director-General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The discussions focused on exchanging experiences, strengthening institutional relationships and exploring areas of cooperation in diaspora affairs and development.
She also met with Ahmet Alemdar, Vice President of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), where both sides reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding between NiDCOM and YTB.
The meeting emphasised the need to move beyond the signing of the agreement and develop concrete programmes in diaspora engagement, knowledge exchange, youth development and bilateral cooperation.
Alemdar called for the identification and implementation of specific projects that Nigeria and Türkiye could undertake jointly to deepen cooperation and deliver measurable benefits to their diaspora communities.
The forum’s communique, which stressed the need to sustain the theme and gains of the summit, was presented by the programme liaison, Ali Fahad, a Turkish-Nigerian.
The gathering marked the first Muslim Diaspora Forum and provided a platform for participating countries to exchange experiences and consider coordinated approaches to issues affecting their citizens abroad.
Muslim Diaspora Forum: NiDCOM Seeks Joint Action Against Discrimination, Misinformation
News
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.
During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.
The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.
The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.
The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.
Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.
Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.
The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.
In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.
The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.
Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.
The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.
The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
By: Zagazola Makama
An inspection team from the ECOWAS Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters has assessed the operational readiness of Nigeria’s ECOWAS standby force at Naquora Barracks in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Brig.-Gen. Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, visited the barracks on Nov. 7, 2026, to evaluate the troops’ preparedness for possible deployment.
The team received briefings on troop readiness, training and administrative matters, and witnessed demonstrations on roadblock operations and crowd dispersal.
Massaquoi commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain high standards of professionalism, discipline and physical fitness.
The inspection visit ended without any incident.
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a gunshot-wounded victim along the Rafin Sanyi axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6 OPEP, deployed at Sopp, responded to a distress report at about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026, after suspected kidnappers blocked the road in the area.
The swift intervention of the troops reportedly forced the criminals to flee before they could carry out their operation.
The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued one occupant of a Sharon vehicle who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was evacuated to the Nigerian Army Medical Outpost at Tigi, where he received first aid treatment.
Troops have continued to dominate the general area through fighting patrols to prevent the criminals from regrouping and forestall further attacks.
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
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