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December 31, 2014 - January 6, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Nigeria
Posted on January 6, 2015

Compiled by Claire Duguid

Report Content:

1. Boko Haram Spreading Influence
2. Targeted Attacks

Boko Haram Spreading Influence

Boko Haram Murders 11 in Cameroon, Injures Others
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, January 3 2015

  • Members of Boko Haram attacked a bus on its route from Waza to Mora in Cameroon, there were 16 passengers.
  • The insurgents slit 11 of the passengers’ throats and injured some of the others. One of the passengers was able to phone the police during the attack.
  • This area has been subject to frequent attacks in the past three months, with many killings and abductions. This attack is reportedly retaliation to the Cameroonian military’s killing of Boko Haram members recently.

 

Targeted Attacks

Seven Killed in Plateau Community Attacks
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, January 3 2015

  • Seven people were killed in different parts of Plateau State after recent attacks. The attacks took place in Maitumbi, Jwak-Maitumbi, Kyampus, Mai-Rana, Sarbot and Kantoma villages.
  • After one of the attacks on December 26, while the communities were recovering, the gunmen attacked once again.
  • Following the killings, a group of youths tracked the killers’ path by tracing spilled blood, but were attacked themselves by a Fulani resident. This began a chain of retaliations in which the youths attacked a Fulani community and the Fulani mobilized, resulting in the death of 5.

Gunmen Kill District Head in Kaduna
Leadership, Abuja-based Daily, January 4 2015

  • Yohanna Daniel Shinkut, the district head of Zangang, Attakad chiefdom in Kaura LGA, Kaduna State was killed by gunmen when they attacked the area. The attackers ambushed him on his way home in his car.
  • One resident has linked the killing to Fulani herdsmen, but no responsibility has been claimed.

One Dies in Adamawa Explosion
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, January 5 2015

  • One person died when an abandoned IED exploded in Luga village, Maiha LGA , Adamawa State.
  • The explosive device is suspected to have been placed by Boko Haram members. The bomb was in an abandoned bag which was picked up and thrown by a group of youths.

Scores feared killed in Borno, Yobe attacks
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, January 5 2015

  • Gunmen armed with IEDs and armored vehicles invaded the town of in Baga, Borno State, took over a military base and killing an unknown number of residents. The base was used by the Multinational Joint Task Force. On the way to Baga, the gunmen attack several other villages.
  • A similar attack took place in Babangida town in Yobe State, where a police station was set on fire. Many residents were forced to flee to Damaturu. • Civilians, JTF members, and security personnel were killed in the attacks

Troops clash with Boko Haram in Borno Village
Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, January 7 2015

  • Boko Haram insurgents ambushed troops from the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Mainari village, as the army was on its way to reclaim Bama. The troops were forced to retreat.
  • Groups of young vigilantes were alongside the troops, giving support. The ambush led to heavy casualties on both sides.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri): Member House of Representatives, Ikorodu Federal constituency, Chairperson house committee on Diaspora Affairs.

  • “One of the problems we have today in Nigeria is that there is no compassion in governance.”
  • “The foreign affairs must have the political will to care for Nigerians in diaspora.”

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “The multinational military base in Baga was captured by Boko Haram says the Senator for Borno north. 000's displaced after fleeing.”
  • “Soldiers from Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria were overpowered and joined the civilians in fleeing says Senator Maina Maaji Lawan.”
  • “Baga town was then captured - the Senator said it had been the only town in north of Borno still in government hands.”
  • “Governor of Diffa says the troops from Niger were withdrawn from Baga about 3 months ago as Nigerian soldiers had not arrived.”
  • “ ‘About 70% of northern Borno State is in Boko Haram's hands’ says Senator Maina Maaji Lawan.”
  • “Senator Lawan warns the crisis risks spreading beyond Nigeria's 3 N Eastern states + warns an unstable Nigeria would affect all West Africa.”
  • “Dear God, Not sure if you are on twitter yet but wondered what you made of all these prayers requesting election victory in Nigeria.”
Boko Haram Spreading Influence

Cameroonian Troops Kill 143 Boko Haram Fighters, Government Says
Daily Independent, Lagos-based Daily, January 13 2015

  • The Cameroonian army claims it killed 143 Boko Haram insurgents, their greatest victory yet against the group. The army retaliated after insurgents attacked a military camp in Kolofata.
  • One soldier in the army was also killed.
Targeted Killings

Troops Kill 200 Boko Haram Members in Askira Uba
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, January 10 2015

  • At least 200 Boko Haram members were killed by military troops in Askira Uba while trying to invade Damaturu, Adamawa State.
  • The insurgents attempted to take Damaturu a few days prior, but were intercepted both times.

Two Die in Potiskum Police Station Blast
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, January 10 2015

  • A bomb blast at the Potiskum Divisional Police Station killed two people. The bomb was placed in a car that was parked outside of the station. One of the victims was a police inspector and the other was a resident of the town.

Police Confirm Attack on Party Office in Rivers
Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, January 11 2015

  • The All Progressives Congress headquarters in Okrika LGA, Rivers State was attacked by unknown persons armed with explosives.
  • The building was heavily damaged and the party took the attack as an opponent-led provocation of violence meant to destabilize the local government.

Fulani Attack Claims 4 in Kogi
Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, January 11 2015

  • An attack by Fulani herdsmen in the Kupa Abugi community in Lokoja LGA, Kogi State left four people dead. There have reportedly been tensions between this community and the herdsmen for the past year.
  • After attacks last year there was a peace meeting between leaders of both communities but the attacks have continued.
  • Millions of naira worth of property was destroyed in the most recent attack.

Many Feared Killed as Bombers Target PVC Distribution in Borno
Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, January 11 2015

  • A market in Maiduguri as bombed during the Independent National Electoral Commission’s distribution of Permanent Voter Cards. The number of casualties is still unknown.

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “I'm not sure about the 2000 dead in Baga figure. But now President Jonathan has condemned the 12 dead in Paris and no word on Baga.”
  • “It is impossible for anyone to count the dead in and around Baga as Boko Haram are there. Likely that hundreds dead since Saturday.”
  • “Nobody can get there to count or bury the dead. #Baga.”
  • “Boko Haram’s deadliest ever attack - suggests Amnesty International. Killings in #Baga started on Sat and it's still under BH control.”
  • “If Nigeria's politicians pay as little attention to the Boko Haram crisis as they are now the jihadists will have a field day. Elections.”
  • “U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon condemns violence which has killed hundreds in Nigeria.Not a swift response.But more than the president has said.”
  • “If the Maiduguri bombing was by a 10 yr old girl it is staggeringly shocking. But there is always a lot of rumour + misinfo after attacks.”
  • “The Nigeria interest is picking up in a slow Chibok-like way - now Angelina Jolie has pitched in.”
  • “Cameroon says 143 Boko Haram fighters killed. 1 Cameroonian soldier dies. How believable is that?”
Upcoming Presidential Elections

No Campaign Posters, Billboards of Jonathan in Kano
Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, January 16 2015

  • Presidential elections are drawing closer, with a few weeks left to campaign, there is hardly any public advocacy for Goodluck Jonathan has been seen in any of the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
  • A few posters were spotted at the People’s Democratic Party’s secretariat and one of their campaign offices.

General Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade): Major General & Nigerian Defence Spokesperson

  • “We fight, repel & conquer because we've never CONSIDERED any part of our territory #BokoHaram's”
  • “Politicians shouldn't oppose the Military. We are not contesting Elections. Do you rather we consider BH in control of our territory? NO!”
  • “All we're doing for now is improving our weaponry to have an enhanced firepower, to contain the terrorists #DefenceNGspeaks”
  • “Things are certainly getting better and the effects will manifest shortly. #DefenceNGspeaks”
  • “Please keep trusting in the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the men and women….work round the clock to ensure that we defeat terror and bring peace to our country.”

Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiers): CBS Correspondent

  • “#Nigeria military spokesman on #Baga: ‘...the number of people who lost their lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150.’ "

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “Will Nigeria's politicians listen to Kofi Annan's call for peaceful elections?”
  • “Dozens kidnapped by Boko Haram in Mokolo District, in north of Cameroon. Men, women + children taken. Terror spreading over Nigeria's border.”
  • “Chad has just sent troops to Cameroon to help in the fight against Boko Haram.”
  • “Expect calls for a regional force to fight Boko Haram.But as Nigeria Niger + Cameroon fail to work together effectively it doesn't bode well.”
  • “With more attacks by Boko Haram in Cameroon will France do more? The former colonial power still pulls the puppet strings.”
  • “All eyes on Chad and Cameroon military working together to fight Boko Haram in Cameroon.”
  • “More than 200 soldiers from Jos were dismissed from the Nigerian army last week. They had been fighting Boko Haram in N East.”
  • “Abiona Elisha served in Nigeria's army for 27 years. He and 200 others were dismissed after being accused of disobeying orders.”
  • “But Abiona Elisha says they were often outgunned by Boko Haram. In one Borno battle they had 10 rounds of AK47 ammo each.”
  • “He says sometimes armoured vehicles ran out of fuel and had to be hastily abandoned only for Boko Haram to seize them.”
  • “He says where there were supposed to be 30 Nigerian soldiers guarding an area there might only be 10. He knows not why.”
  • “BUT the dismissed soldier says from what he hears troops now fighting Boko Haram have now been better equipped.”
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