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Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality

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Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice will on December 7, 2023 deliver its ruling on interim measures in a case between the State of Niger and seven others, and the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and two others.

The Court fixed the date after hearing both parties during its sitting held on Monday, November 21, 2023 at its Seat in Abuja/

At the hearing, the applicants represented by their lawyers Mr Moukaila Yaye and five others argued that the sanctions imposed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS have adverse effect on the Nigerien people including shortage of food, medicine and electricity, due to the closure of borders and cut off of electricity supply by Nigeria.

They asked the Court for interim court orders that will compel the Authority of Heads of State and Government to immediately suspend the sanctions.

They said that the respondents overreacted by imposing the sanctions which were not successive, and that Niger was treated unequally and unfairly compared to the other three member states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea) that also experienced coup d’état in recent years.

The applicants also asked the Court to declare its competence to examine the case and declare the application admissible in accordance with the Court’s texts.

The respondents namely the Authority of Heads of State, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Commission represented by Mr François Kanga-Penond raised an objection of inadmissibility of the application and asked the Court to reject the request of the applicants.

Kanga-Penond told the Court that coup d’état was not recognised in a democracy and that the junta does not have legal capacity to bring a case before the Court adding that, the democratically elected President has a pending case before the Court in which he is challenging the legitimacy of this same junta.

He emphasised that the lack of legal capacity of the junta to approach the Court restraints the Court from examining their request for interim measures.

In the initiating application, the applicants – the State of Niger, six Nigerien organisations and a Nigerien national asked the Court to declare the measures taken by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS during its extraordinary sessions of July 30 and August 10, 2023, allegedly aimed at restoring constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, illegal.

They requested the Court to nullify all decisions of these ECOWAS organs imposing sanctions, including the decision to resort to military intervention in the Republic of Niger.

The panel of three judges on the bench is composed of: Hon. Judge Edward Amoako Asante, President, Hon. Judge Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge Rapporteur/Member
Hon. Judge Dupe Atoki, Member.

Sanctions Against Niger, ECOWAS Court Fixes December 7 for Ruling on Legality

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Yobe Govt. Initiates Mineral Exploitation For Economic Diversification

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Yobe Govt. Initiates Mineral Exploitation For Economic Diversification

By: Mamman Mohammed

Yobe state Gov. Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni CON COMN said the Yobe Mining Development Company Limited is the only agency authorised to deal with all exploration and mining activities across the state.

He stated this today at a Mining Stakeholders Forum in Damaturu saying the Yobe Mining Company is the designated One-Stop-Shop of the government.

“Yobe state is richly endowed with mineral resources such as limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, quartz, and silica, among many others. Yet, for decades, these gifts of nature have remained grossly untapped and underutilised.

“The time has come to turn these hidden potentials into productive assets that will create jobs, generate wealth, and advance the socio-economic development of our people.

“Our objective is to chart a coordinated course for growth of the mining sector in Yobe State, in a manner that aligns with federal policy, ensures community inclusion, attracts credible investors, and guarantees environmental responsibility.

“It is also our conviction that responsible mining, when properly managed, can become a major driver of our state’s economic resilience, youth employment, and revenue diversification.

“We envision a mining sector that operates within a transparent regulatory framework; that upholds environmental sustainability and community benefit; that promotes public-private partnerships anchored on trust and accountability; that encourages local participation while attracting reputable foreign investment” Gov. Buni said.

He charged the stakeholders to concentrate on Mineral Mapping and Data Presentation to showcase Yobe potential, policy and Institutional alignment, Investor Engagement and Incentives,
Roles of Communities and Traditional Institutions among others.

Managing Director of Yobe Mining Development Company, Engr. Bamodu Yerima, said the company has an information repository for feasibility studies in three key mineral sectors including Limestone, for cement and hydrated lime production; Gypsum, for cement, fertiliser, and building materials; and Trona (soda ash), for fertiliser, detergent, and glass production.

He said reputable consulting firms have been engaged through open and transparent procurement processes to prepare feasibility studies in line with international standards.

He said the Yobe Mining Development Company prioritised organisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations across Fika, Fune, Gulani, Gujba, Yusufari, and Nangere LGAs.

According to the Managing Director, the company registered artisanal miners into cooperative clusters and provided training, safety tools, and market access for their take off.

Bamodu said Community Development Trust Fund was established to reinvest 5–10% of project profits into education, health, and water infrastructure.

“The Yobe Mining Development Company ensures that mining drives local livelihoods, peace, and shared prosperity at the grassroots to promote community participation” he said.

The MD noted that the company has engaged the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), BADEA, Afreximbank, and AFC, for various partnership projects in the mineral sector.

Others are NEXIM Bank, for export financing and beneficiation support; Bank of Industry (BOI), for value addition and SME linkages in mineral-based manufacturing which reflects the growing global confidence in Yobe’s institutional reforms and industrial vision.

Various stakeholders commended Yobe state government for the bold initiative of diversifying the state’s economy with a value chain of job creation and economic prosperity.

The stakeholders were drawn from across the country and Germany among others and Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the Yobe state government and the various stakeholders.

Yobe Govt. Initiates Mineral Exploitation For Economic Diversification

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FARMERS–HERDERS CLASH: PMF PERSONNEL ATTACKED DURING RESPONSE — ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED, CATTLE RECOVERED

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FARMERS–HERDERS CLASH: PMF PERSONNEL ATTACKED DURING RESPONSE — ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED, CATTLE RECOVERED

…AS CP REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CURBING FARMERS–HERDERS CONFLICT AND PROMOTING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

By: Dungus Abdulkarim

On 29th October 2025 at about 1700hrs, a distress message was received from the Unit Commander, 19 PMF, who is on special duty at Bara, Gulani LGA, alongside men of 79 PMF Buni Yadi.

At about 1600hrs, while on patrol around Kojoli village, the officers received an urgent call from community members reporting that a group of herders had allegedly invaded rice farms with large herds of cattle, deliberately destroying crops.

Acting swiftly, the Unit Commander, led a team to the location. On arrival, the herders reportedly ambushed the officers and opened fire, using AK-47 rifles, bows and arrows, before fleeing into the bush.

During the tactical withdrawal, Sgt Abdullahi Aminu (19 PMF) and Cpl Aliyu Suleiman (79 PMF) were overpowered, disarmed, and attacked. After an exchange of fire, one rifle was recovered, while the service rifle assigned to Sgt Abdullahi Aminu was carted away by the fleeing suspects.

The officers sustained machete-cut injuries on their heads, arms, and legs and were immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Bara, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.

A large number of cattle belonging to the suspects were recovered at the scene and are being escorted back to Kojoli village by police and local vigilantes.

One suspect, Mohammed Bello, was arrested at the scene in possession of a blood-stained cutlass and is currently assisting the ongoing investigation.

Efforts are ongoing to recover the snatched rifle and apprehend all fleeing suspects.

While condemning the attack, the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado psc, fdc, reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to:

✅ Mitigating farmers–herders clashes through proactive policing
✅ Strengthening stakeholder dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution mechanisms
✅ Protecting lives, farmlands, cattle, and public property without bias

He further directed a reinforced deployment of tactical teams to the area to prevent escalation and maintain peace.

“The Command will not tolerate violence, attacks on police personnel, destruction of farms, or criminal grazing. We are committed to peaceful coexistence and justice for all parties involved,” CP added

The CP urges farmers, herders, traditional rulers, and community leaders to remain calm and continue supporting the Police with credible information.

The Command appeals to all communities to:

Report disputes early to prevent escalation

Respect farm boundaries and grazing regulations

Avoid taking laws into their own hands

Security is a shared responsibility. Peace is possible when all parties cooperate.

SP Dungus Abdulkarim, MNIPR
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Nigeria Police Force
Yobe State Command
30 October 2025

FARMERS–HERDERS CLASH: PMF PERSONNEL ATTACKED DURING RESPONSE — ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED, CATTLE RECOVERED

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Several terrorists killed as Rivalry clash intensifies between Boko Haram, ISWAP Sambisa

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Several terrorists killed as Rivalry clash intensifies between Boko Haram, ISWAP Sambisa

By: Zagazola Makama

Fresh fighting has erupted between rival insurgent factions in the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno, as renewed hostilities spread across parts of Bama and Konduga Local Government Areas.

Reliable sources told Zagazola Makama that the latest round of clashes was initiated by a factional force under a notorious commander known as Abba Tukurre, who, alongside his lieutenants Bunjumma and Ali Kalumbo, launched coordinated attacks on several enclaves held by a rival group.

The offensive reportedly began at Gazuwa Camp a strategic stronghold in the Sambisa area of Bama Local government area where the attacking faction succeeded in dislodging its rivals after hours of intense gunfire.

Follow-up operations were said to have been carried out in nearby locations including Kashimeri, Katchi, and Bula Musaye, where several hideouts were overrun.

Sources further indicated that another factional commander, Abu-Rijal, also known as Ba-Sulhu, led reinforcements from the Mandara Mountain axis and engaged the rival group at Bula Marwaye before converging with other fighters at Goneri to plan subsequent strikes.

By late Wednesday, reports suggested that the attacking faction had taken control of Gargash, Minna, and Garin Massa Kaje, and established new checkpoints in the Yamut and Jungule areas.

Night operations were also conducted to pursue fleeing elements of the rival group, though no fresh contact was confirmed as of Thursday morning.

Zagazola Makama believe the resurgence of inter-factional violence could temporarily reduce the threat of coordinated attacks on civilian and military targets, as both sides turn their attention to internal supremacy battles.

However, there are indications that other cells operating in the southern Lake Chad, Tumbun Fulani, and Bulumkutu–Geidam corridors may exploit the chaos to stage retaliatory or diversionary strikes.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the theatre are maintaining heightened vigilance to counter possible surprise offensives as the situation continues to unfold across the region.

Several terrorists killed as Rivalry clash intensifies between Boko Haram, ISWAP Sambisa

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