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February 13-20, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Nigeria
Posted on February 20, 2015

Compiled by Julia Kushnir

Report Content:

1. Boko Haram Attacks
2. Regional/National Responses to Boko Haram Insurgency
3. Human Rights Violations
4. Impending Election
5. Boko Haram Expansion

1. Boko Haram Attacks

Soldiers, escorting weapons, kill five youths in Maiduguri
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 16 February 2015

  • Five youth were on Monday shot dead by soldiers during a shootout in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, after the young men demanded to check a truck in which the soldiers were conveying arms to their barracks
  • Crisis ensued when the members of the youth vigilance group accosted a convoy of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Maiduguri

Borno: Boko Haram Kills 20 in Fresh Attacks
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 13 February 2015

  • The attack, which also involved torching of houses and shops, occurred about 7.25a.m. on Thursday
  • The number of people killed has increased to eight, while injured ones shot up to 20 in number

Female Suicide Bomber Kills 10 in Yobe
Punch, Privately-Owned Newspaper, 16 February, 2015

  • A female suicide bomber believed to be 10 years old on Sunday struck at the Damaturu Central Motor Park, killing herself and nine other people
  • Ten people died and 31 were critically injured
2. Regional/National Responses to Boko Haram Insurgency

Troops Repel Boko Haram’s Daring Attack on Gombe
This Day, Lagos-based Daily, 15 February, 2015

  • Confirming the attack, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade said that normalcy has since been restored and terrorists expelled
  • Combined air and ground operation are being sustained in pursuit of the terrorists and ensure they don't gain a foothold in Gombe State, nor prevent the state’s residents from exercising their franchise in the forthcoming general elections
  • Speaking to THIS DAY, a military source said that the Defence authorities will confirm the recapture of the town when mop up operations is complete

Military Retakes Monguno, others from Boko Haram
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, 16 February, 2015

  • Troops of the Nigerian Army have completely secured Monguno, Marte and other communities in the North of Borno State from Boko Haram occupation
  • The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement on Monday that a combined operation spearheaded by the Air Force had completely cleared Monguno, Marte and other towns in the general area of terrorists

Airforce Retools for Boko Haram Onslaught
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 15 February, 2015

  • The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday in Lagos said it had incorporated some new systems and ammunition aimed at the continuous fight against insurgency in the country

Boko Haram Attack Leads to 24-Hour Curfew in Gombe
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 14 February, 2015

  • "Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has directed that a 24-hour curfew be imposed on Gombe as a result of the security breach in the city," Ayuba Aluke told AFP • A Nigerian fighter jet encircled the city but made no attempt to attack the insurgents

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

“More than 300 Boko Haram Fighters killed in 2 days says Nigeria’s ministry of defence. Statement says 2 soldiers died.” (18 February, 2015)

3. Human Rights Violations

Grim Tales of Rape, Child Trafficking in Displaced Persons’ Camps Revealed
This Day, Lagos-based Daily, 11 February, 2015

  • Hundreds of girls are now being trafficked from some of the IDP camps in the North-east set up to cater for people displaced by the insurgency, especially unregistered ones
  • The people in the makeshift camps are not officially registered and technically are not under the care of government
  • Kingsley Ogar, a member of staff of an international donor agency, who did not want his organisation named, confirmed that child trafficking is rife in the IDP camps
  • Many aid workers in the IDP camps allege that there is a conspiracy of silence, which encourages government officials in many of the IDP camps to continue to exploit the displaced persons
4. Impending Election

Six Feared Killed as Stampeders Mars APC Presidential Rally in Borno
Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 16 February, 2015

  • NO fewer than six people were reportedly feared dead with several others injured in a stampede at the party’s presidential campaign of its candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari held at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital
  • Shocked by the mammoth crowd’s unruly behaviour, Buhari, who stood on the podium square at 1.30pm, could not speak

Nigerian Military Steps Up Campaign to Flush out Insurgents in Bama, Baga, Others
This Day, Lagos-based Daily, 16 February, 2015

  • In line with its promise to flush out the terror group Boko Haram from territories in the North-east ahead of next month’s elections, the Nigerian military has stepped up its offensive in Bama, Marte and Baga, among other communities in Borno State
  • According to a source, the coordinated aerial and ground assault from Nigerian troops in the south, supported by the Chadian and Nigerien troops from the north, has squeezed the terrorists, forcing many of them to flee to what they perceive as safe areas in Yobe and Gombe States

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau vows to disrupt elections saying democracy is not Islamic. Not a surprising message at all at all.” (18 February, 2015)

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

  • “58 people killed in 50 days of pre election violence across Nigeria according to the National Human Rights Commission.” (16 February, 2015)
5. Boko Haram Expansion

New Boko Haram Enclave Found in Adamawa
This Day, Lagos-based Daily, 12 February, 2015

  • Mrs. Hannatu Zira, one of the women abducted by Boko Haram from Grata village in Michika Local Government Area in Adamawa State, has revealed that some of the insurgents are living inside the cave of a huge rock popularly known as “Bekin Dose”, situated between Michika and Madagali close to Sambisa forest
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