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September 24 - October 01, 2014

Media Monitoring Report for Nigeria
Posted on October 2, 2014

Contents

Compiled by Claire Duguid

  1. Displacement
  2. Targeted Attacks
  3. False Reporting
Displacement
150 Borno Refugees Died in Cameroon Border Camp

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, September 25 2014

  • Over 150 people in the Fotokol border resettlement camp in Cameroon have died from water borne diseases such as diarrhea and malaria because of the camp’s lack of access to medical services.
  • The camp was set up at the Fotokol Primary School after Boko Haram attacks in Gambouru/Ngala in August which forced over 10,000 people to flee to Cameroon.
Insurgency: 100,000 Farmers Displaced, 52 Killed in Adamawa

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, September 26 2014

  • Insurgency attacks in Adamawa have forced over 100,00 farmers to be displaced and resulted in the deaths of 52 farmers and over 100,000 hectares of farmland to be abandoned or destroyed.
  • The attacks took place in Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas, about 69,000 farmers displaced and 37 killed in the former, and 48,000 displaced and 15 killed in the latter.
  • The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are making plans on how to improve the farmer’s living conditions.
3.3m Nigerians Internal Refugees – Report

Leadership, Abuja-based Daily, September 29 2014

  • There are now at last 3.3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria as a result of the insurgency. This is 10% of the total number of IDP’s worldwide.
  • The number was established by the group ‘Nigeria Unite’ which held a press conference in New York to discuss Nigeria’s failed leadership and abuses of power.
  • The group noted that Nigerian society is being steadily militarized and divided among ethnic, religious and sectional lines. They claim the current leadership has no capability for unity and if the upcoming 2015 elections are not democratic, the survival of the country is highly unlikely.
Diseases kill 70 in Taraba Displaced Peoples’ Camp

Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, October 1 2014

  • Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, malaria and the measles at a camp in Bali LGA, Taraba State, have killed 50 children and 20 adults since March 2014. Living conditions in the camp are unbearable and the Federal Government is doing little to help those in the camp.
  • Approximately 126,000 Tiv people have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Bali LGA, and the killings are continuing, making it impossible for them to return.
Targeted Attacks
Boko Haram Attacks Borno villages, Kills Pastor, 19 others

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, September 26 2014

  • Suspected members of Boko Haram attacked Shaffa and Shindiffu villages of the Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State. A pastor, a teacher, and 18 others were killed, most of them Christians. 10 churches were burned down as well as some houses and a clinic and staff quarters at a girls’ school.
  • On the way to continue their attacks on another Christian community, Turaku village, the insurgents were ambushed by military troops. Almost all of the insurgents were killed.
  • The Federal Government is now saying that insurgents who surrender their arms to the military will be “de-radicalized and rehabilitated” into society.
Borno: Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack on Benesheik

Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, September 27 2014

  • A planned insurgency attack on Benesheik was deterred by Nigerian troops. The insurgents had blocked the highway, aiming to attack people on the road, but instead were hit with gunfire by the military.
  • The number of injuries and deaths has not been established, but one witness claims there were five corpses of Boko Haram members on the side of the road.
Robbery: Gunmen Attack Bishop’s House in Kogi

Leadership, Abuja-based Daily, September 29 2014

  • Bishop John Ibenu of the Reina Chapel Church in Lokoja, Kogi State, was attacked in his home by seven gunmen.
  • Valuables were taken from the home, and two people, a woman and a boy, were injured. No deaths have been reported.
Boko Haram Kills Scores, Burns 540 Houses in Michika

Leadership, Abuja-based Daily, September 30 2014

  • Boko Haram attacked the Kubi and Watu villages of Michika LGA, Adamawa State. 540 houses were burned down and scores of people were killed. The attackers were armed with guns and explosives.
  • The villages had no nearby security personnel so were taken over completely by the insurgents.
False Reporting
Military Retracts Claim of Chibok Girls’ Release

Leadership, Abuja-based Daily September 24 2014

  • News that more of the kidnapped schoolgirls have escaped is now part of a controversy of rumors and false reporting. Rumors began when people saw vehicles carrying girls into the military barracks in Maiduguri and assumed them to be newly rescued. These girls however were some of the 57 already escaped.
  • Some news sources claimed Major General Chris Olukolade, military spokesman, had confirmed the rumors but in more recent statements Olukolade has denied any confirmation and the military has retracted any statements proliferating the rumors.
Doubts Linger over Claims of Boko Haram Leader’s Death

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, September 25 2014

  • A military statement confirming the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is now regarded as nothing but propaganda. The photos which have been circulating of a dead Shekau are in actuality Bashir Mohammed, a different Boko Haram member acting as leader.
  • This is not the first time Shekau has been reported dead, the first being in 2009 by the police and the second in 2013 by a military taskforce.
  • Analysts are saying even if Shekau is dead, it will have little impact on the insurgency which is widespread and has alternative command structures.

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “Some girls are now safe in a military barracks defence hq spokesman Chris Olukolade tells BBC. Not the Chibok girls he says.”
  • “AND the military spokes says the bearded man in the videos was not BH leader Abubakar Shekau but he's dead and Shekau died ages ago.”
  • “As I've said before impossible to verify this but what is clear is Boko Haram has been on the end of a clobbering this month. Turning point?”
  • “Interesting how many people feel the Boko Haram war can be turned on and off by politicians.”
  • “13,000 people killed by Boko Haram in last 5 yrs Goodluck Jonathan tells UN sec council.”
  • “500 million dollars raised for victims support fund says Pres Jonathan. Would love to see detailed breakdown on how that is spent.”
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