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US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region

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US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region

By: Michael Mike

The United States and Nigeria are working together to address and mitigate the drivers of conflict in northern and middle-belt Nigeria, including ethnic, regional, and sectarian tensions across communities, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the US Embassy in Nigeria.

The statement read that: “Over the past five years, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has invested $15 million in the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) programme. This initiative has trained more than 46,000 community members, including traditional leaders, women, men, and youth, in six states – Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, and Plateau – on skills such as dispute resolution, early warning and early response, reconciliation efforts, and prevention of violent extremism.

The statement further added that: “The CIPP programme has been helped mitigate violent conflict in at-risk communities and engaged women and youth in peace processes. A randomized control trial, which compared how the activity worked in its target communities with nearby communities that did not include any interventions, showed that despite the overall increase in violence in Plateau, Benue, and other states, violent conflict was lower in communities where USAID worked. For instance, after four years of implementation, the study showed that only 29 percent of CIPP treatment communities experienced violent incidents, compared to 55 percent in control communities – a difference of 26 percent.

The USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones at a ceremony, said: “The CIPP activity has shown that a timely investment in peace can yield remarkable dividends,” adding that “Individuals trained in conflict mediation skills across Nigeria’s Middle Belt helped resolve hundreds of disputes before they escalated further.”

The statement revealed that as part of its closeout plan, USAID will transfer some of CIPP’s community structures, such as Conflict Mitigation Regional Councils and Women Peace Councils, to its new Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigerian Early Response activity. This will ensure continuity and sustained progress in our shared mission to promote peace and security in the northern and middle-belt regions.

US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region

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Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts

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Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts

By: Zagazola Makama

The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised two senior terrorist commanders, Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago, alongside other fighters, in a precision air interdiction (AI) mission at Yuwe in the Sambisa general area of Borno.

Sources who disclosed this to Zagazola said that the early morning strike also eliminated Hussaini Ubaida and Ba Alayi Benbem, while destroying identified terrorist command hideouts and logistics warehouses.

The sources said the mission was executed at about 6:08 a.m. on Friday following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) on structures suspected to be terrorists’ commanders’ hideouts and storage facilities within the Yuwe axis.

“Upon confirmation of the targets, various military aircraft and platform, departed base to prosecute the mission. On reaching the objective area, the aircraft acquired and engaged the selected targets with precision-guided stores onboard,” he said.

The sources noted that post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the identified command hubs and warehouses were effectively destroyed, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the terrorists in the Sambisa corridor.

According to the source, efforts were ongoing to confirm the identities of additional casualties resulting from the strike.

The military high command of Operation Hadin Kai has reaffirmed its commitment to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures, disrupting supply chains and denying insurgents safe havens.

They stressed that the theartre command will continue to work in synergy with the Air component and other security agencies, to intensify its operations to consolidate recent gains and restore lasting peace in the North-East.

Military Airstrikes neutralized ISWAP Commanders, others in precision strike on Sambisa hideouts

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Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina

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Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Four persons have died while 18 others sustained injuries following a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan Zakkat (alms) at a residence in Katsina metropolis.

Sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the residence of Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, located in Kofar Guga Quarters.

According to the sources, a large crowd had gathered at the residence to receive Ramadan alms when some individuals allegedly forced their way into the compound, triggering a stampede.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Central Police Station (CPS) Katsina, swiftly mobilised to the scene and was able to bring the situation under control.

As a result of the stampede, 18 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital, Katsina, for medical attention.

Four persons were later certified dead by a medical doctor. They were identified as Bilkisu Mamman, 40, of Kerau Quarters; Ihsan Musbahu, 40, of Abattoir Quarters; Aisha Sani, 16, of Kofar Sauri Quarters; and Salamatu Kabir, 45, of Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters.

Another victim, Hafsat Zubairu, 15, of Masanawa Quarters, was referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital for further medical evaluation.

Police authorities said the organisers of the Zakkat distribution had been invited for questioning, while investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Four die, 18 injured in zakkat distribution stampede in Katsina

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Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno

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Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 2, have destroyed terrorist life-support structures and arrested two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers during clearance operations around Sabon Gari Fishingo in Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the troops, in conjunction with quasi-security forces, conducted the operation at about 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.

The troops reportedly made contact with terrorists at Kayawa and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray.

The fleeing terrorists abandoned two motorcycles and five bicycles at the scene. No casualty was recorded among the troops.

Following the encounter, the troops set ablaze structures believed to be used as life-support bases by the terrorists.

The operation later extended to Sabon Gari Fishingo, where troops conducted a cordon-and-search exercise.

During the operation, two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers identified as Dahiru Haruna and Salele Lawali were arrested.

Items recovered from the suspects included a large quantity of drugs, medical consumables and one tricycle, popularly known as “Jega.”

Sources said the suspects were in custody for further investigation, while the recovered items were being documented.

The operation is part of sustained offensive actions under Operation Desert Sanity aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and disrupting their logistics networks in the North-East.

Troops neutralise terrorists’ structures, arrest two logistics suppliers in Sabon Garin Fishingo in Borno

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