September 10 - 17, 2014

Contents

Compiled by Claire Duguid, Media Monitoring Reporter

1. Re-election Tension
2. Full-scale war against Boko Haram
3. Displacement at the hand of Boko Haram

1. Re-election Tension

Southern Elders Accuse Jega of Ethnic Agenda

The Punch, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 14, 2014

• The Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly is questioning the intentions of Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, claiming that the reason for the higher number of polling units in the North is because it is where Jega is from.
• The SNPA warns against the possibility of electoral fraud which will give advantage to the North, and says that Jega’s defence of basing polling unit numbers on population size of the region is both outdated and incorrect. This kind of bias denies that “Nigeria belongs to everyone.”

Campaigns for the February 2015 general elections in Nigeria have started with Goodluck Jonathan’s slogan #BringBackGoodluck2015 causing uproar and forcing him to prohibit its continuation.

2. Full-scale war against Boko Haram

FG may declare total emergency in N/East - Monitoring officials, politicians in Borno

The Nigerian Tribune, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 9, 2014

• There are indications that the Federal Government will declare total emergency in the Northeast in a step towards dealing with Boko Haram’s recent attacks.
• Goodluck Jonathan met with the presidents of Chad, Cameroon and Niger to discuss ways of helping Nigeria catch fleeing Boko Haram members.
• Security Offical said arrests and prosecutions of government officials who are suspected of being involved in the assassinations of politicians and businessmen in Borno are being planned.

Soldiers Kill 150 during Terrorists Attack on Konduga

The Punch, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 13, 2014

• Campaigns for the February 2015 general elections in Nigeria have started with Goodluck Jonathan’s slogan #BringBackGoodluck2015 causing uproar and forcing him to prohibit its continuation.
• Members of Boko Haram stormed Konduga but were resisted by the military, 150 Boko Haram members were killed.
• The military also seized weapons and vehicles from Boko Haram.
• Four men in the military were injured, but there were no deaths and morale is reportedly high.

Boko Haram: Jonathan Declares Full-scale War, Deploys Warplanes

The Vanguard, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 16, 2014

• Nigerian warplanes have been sent over Borno to carry out strikes against Boko Haram at their base in Bama.
• The Defence Headquarters says it will “do anything” to defend territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence, says outside concern is appreciated but the Nigerian Armed Forces will preserve the pride of the country.
• Air Vice Marshall Chris Marizu notes that these attacks in the Northeast have prompted apprehension among citizens and that politicians should be wary of saying things that might encourage skepticism of the military, he also claims the media has been falsely reporting events, making it seem like the military has no chance over Boko Haram.

Past accusations of Nigerian media reports as false and incomplete flared up again after the schoolgirl kidnapping in Chibok, people are voicing their complaints of poor local reporting on Boko Haram’s activities.

3. Displacement at the hand of Boko Haram

Terrorism: 800 Youths flee Chibok

The Punch, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 13, 2014

• Past accusations of Nigerian media reports as false and incomplete flared up again after the schoolgirl kidnapping in Chibok, people are voicing their complaints of poor local reporting on Boko Haram’s activities.
• Headed for Lagos, Abuja and Kano, 800 youths fled from Boko Haram violence in Chibok. Many were young boys who fear forced conscription into the insurgency.
• Local government workers have also fled, and those who remain in Chibok are finding assistance from Churches.

25 Youths Killed in Borno Attack

The Guardian, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 13, 2014

• Shortly after a military clash with Boko Haram in Konduga, 25 youths were killed at the Ngom market by members of the Islamic sect. The victims were members of a “vigilante group” and were patrolling the Maiduguri-Dikwa road when attacked with explosives.
• Reportedly the youths opened fire first when they saw the vehicles approaching but were unable to hold up the fight without backup.

FG needs tougher action against Boko Haram

The Punch, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 15, 2014

• The Federal Government is being pressured to take harsher action against Boko Haram in the Northeast by the African Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Services.
• Many of the communities in Borno State now lay deserted as a result of Boko Haram’s attacks, their populations migrating into bigger cities, fleeing the human rights abuses, poverty and lack of order.
• Chairman of the Centre, Saina Buba notes that though government efforts in fundraising have been made, the committee set up to address the crisis has not yet visited Borno.

Boko Haram: Displaced persons take over churches in Borno

The Punch, Privately Owned Newspaper, September 13, 2014

• Churches in Borno State have become shelters for the thousands of internally displaced persons, but the lack of resources and high numbers of people are overwhelming, leading to extremely poor conditions.
• Reverend Father Gideon Obasogie dismisses the news that the military has recaptured Bama, saying that the insurgents have been relocated but will be back soon. He warns that the churches are temporary refuge as insurgents are storming churches in the state daily.

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria

• “Nigeria's President directs the #BringBackJonathan2015 signs be taken down - says they are offensive and repugnant”
• “Military tribunal in Nigeria gives 12 soldiers death sentences. They'd turned guns on their commander after colleagues were killed in ambush”
• “Hundreds of soldiers ambushed in Kogi State. We're told none were killed. Were on way to N East. If Boko H did it shows extent of network”

Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiersCBS): CBS Correspondent

• “Well-known preacher TB Joshua links plane circling over Lagos church to subsequent collapse. Via @BBCAfrica #Nigeria”
• “#Nigeria's Boko Haram puts #Maiduguri - the main city in NE Borno State - under 'siege' via @BBCWorld”