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US Spends $15 Million; Trained Over 46,000 in Dispute Resolution for Northern and Middle-Belt Region
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
DSS files charges against arrested Ansaru commanders Abu Baraa and Mahmuda
By: Zagazola Makama
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple charges against two arrested commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda.
A security source confirmed the development to the Zagazola Makama on Friday.
The source said the suspects, who were recently apprehended in a covert operation, are facing terrorism-related charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
The sources explained that the charges border on leadership of terrorist organisation, financing of terrorism, recruitment, and coordinating violent attacks in Nigeria.
According to the sources, the DSS has expedited investigations to ensure speedy prosecution in line with the directive of its Director-General, who emphasised professionalism, justice, and the protection of human rights in handling terrorism cases.
He added that the arraignment of the suspects before the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected in the coming days.
DSS files charges against arrested Ansaru commanders Abu Baraa and Mahmuda
Troops intercept militia, recover weapon in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Enduring Peace, have intercepted an armed militia mobilised for an attack on communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, acting on a distress call, apprehended the suspect on Sept. 4 at about 1:40 p.m. at Kaskra in Ropp District of the LGA.
The militia, identified as Umar Yakubu, 20, was found in possession of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine and 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Yakubu was allegedly mobilised from Kuka Bakwi Fulani Camp in Barkin Ladi to launch attacks on communities in Nding village.
The suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogation, while troops have intensified operations to track down other militias and recover their weapons.
Troops intercept militia, recover weapon in Plateau
Gombe PDP chieftain Joins APC, lauds Tinubu, Yahaya’s infrastructure revolution
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Jerry Damara, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his full support for the administration of Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya.
Damara, well known in Kaltungo Local Government Area for his grassroots and community development projects, announced his defection and presented his membership card to Yahaya alongside some notable PDP stakeholders from Gombe South, including Tha’anda Rubainu, former Deputy Governor of Gombe State.
He commended Governor Yahaya’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, and the education sector, which he said have significantly transformed Gombe State.
Damara, who is the Managing Director/CEO of Mesotho Group Limited, explained that his decision to join the APC was inspired by two individuals.
He said ” I was inspired by Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya , it took me a while before I came to Gombe, but when I did, I saw real infrastructure.
“I’m a lover of infrastructure because it’s my business. I ran to his office and said, ‘Your Excellency, what is going on here?’ He laughed, and I told him I would follow him.
“I don’t follow people who make noise, I follow people who take action. And he said, ‘You are welcome.’ That was how we began, and today, the dream has come true.”
“The second person who inspired me was President Bola Tinubu. When I saw him declare the road project from Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto, I said, ‘The messiah has come,’ and I decided I would follow him. That’s how it happened.”
“Today, we have defected along with some notable PDP stakeholders from Gombe South, including Tha’anda Rubainu, former Deputy Governor of Gombe State. We have moved to the APC, and we’ve moved for good,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Inuwa Yahaya welcomed the defectors, describing their move as a significant boost to the APC’s political strength in the state.
He noted that the increasing number of high-profile defections reflects growing public confidence in his administration.
“This is a landmark moment. The strength of the opposition in Gombe is rapidly fading,” he declared.
Gombe PDP chieftain Joins APC, lauds Tinubu, Yahaya’s infrastructure revolution
DSS files charges against arrested Ansaru commanders Abu Baraa and Mahmuda
Troops intercept militia, recover weapon in Plateau
Gombe PDP chieftain Joins APC, lauds Tinubu, Yahaya’s infrastructure revolution
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