October 01 - 08, 2014

Contents

Compiled by Claire Duguid

1. Targeted Attacks
2. Large-scale Displacement
3. Responses to Government Actions

Targeted Attacks

Soldier, 12 Others Killed in Fresh Plateau Attack

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 3 2014

• At least 13 people, including one soldier, were killed by gunmen who attacked the Lwa, Dum, Rachit, and Dyang villages in Riyom LGA, Plateau State. The gunmen are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. Two soldiers have also been reported missing.
• One of the villagers says the terrorists had been aiming to attack a nearby village, Jol, but were unable so launched surprise attacks on the other villages instead.

Boko Haram Beheads Pilot of ‘Missing’ Air Force Jet

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 3 2014

• Two pilots and an air force jet have been missing since September 11 after leaving Adamawa State on a mission against Boko Haram. A video released by Boko Haram, apparently featuring leader Abubakar Shekau, shows the beheading of a man thought to be one of the missing pilots.
• The man thought to be Shekau says in the video, “Even if you kill me…it will not stop us imposing Islamic rule…we are still in our Islamic state, reigning and teaching the Koran.” He also says they are using punishments under Shariah law such as stoning, amputation and lashings.
• The victim in the video identifies himself as a Wing Commander in the air force, he and the other pilot were on a mission in Borno State and were shot down, he does not know where the second pilot is.

Boko Haram attacks more Adamawa villages

Daily Independent, Lagos-based Daily, October 4 2014

• At least 10,000 Higgi people of Michika LGA, Adamawa State are refugees in the state capital, Yola, after being forced to leave their various villages because of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.
• Boko Haram attacks continue on border villages in Michika regardless of the pressure put on the Federal Government to end the insurgency.

Boko Haram ‘beheads’ seven in Borno

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, October 6 2014

• Members of Boko Haram attacked the town of Ngamdu in Borno, killing seven people by decapitation.
• Two weeks ago 15 Boko Haram militants were killed in Ngamdu, the most recent attack on the town is said to be one of revenge.

Large-scale Displacement

State-owned Media:

FG Distributes Relief to Boko Haram Victims in Adamawa
NAN, Government-owned News Agency, October 2 2014

• The Presidential Committee on Relief Materials has distributed relief items to IDP’s in Adamawa State at the Bajabure camp in Girei LGA. The materials were presented by the Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okwonjo-Eweala
• Okwonjo-Eweala said the action was not political but a fulfillment of the government’s obligation to help those affected by the violence.
• Boni Haruna, the Minister of Youth Development, says the government is making progress against the insurgency and that it would be over soon.
• 4,578 people have been registered at the Bajabure camp so far.

Privately-owned Media:

Internal displacement in Nigeria worst ever —UN
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 5 2014

• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that currently there are more refugees, IDP’s and asylum-seekers across the world than there have ever been.
• More than 200 million people in Africa have been forcibly displaced this year, Ban Ki-moon urges the international community to do more to find solutions for the displaced.

Displaced Yobe Residents get N500m Relief Materials
Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 6 2014

• The Presidential Committee on Relief Procurement and Distribution has given 500 million Nigerian Naira in relief material to the 116,000 IDP’s in Yobe State.
• Arrangements were made to guarantee direct distribution and items based on specific needs of the people.
• Dr. Abdu Bulama, Minister of Science and Technology, says the relief efforts are a fight against the insurgency and are necessary for those affected.

Responses to Government Actions

State-owned Media:

Borno CAN Tasks Leaders in Good Conduct
NAN, Government-owned News Agency, October 2 2014

• The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno has said that Nigeria’s leaders are holding the country captivity and is advising both political and religious leaders to examine their actions.
• CAN also urges leaders to “purge themselves of selfish interest.”

Privately-owned Media:

Abubakar cautions on religious, ethnic politics
Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, October 6 2014

• General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State, warns Nigerian politicians on the dangers of religion and ethnicity in politics, says to focus on nation building instead.
• According to Abubakar, current politicians have not done much for the country and hopes that before the upcoming elections they learn how to effectively rule. 
• “We are all Nigerians regardless of our religions. Every one of us has a role to play in maintaining peace.”

Will Ross (@willintune ) : BBC Correspondent Nigeria

• “Families torn apart by the conflict in n east Nigeria. Thousands now in camps because Boko Haram has taken over their towns.” 
• “Rejoice a 19 year old student saw her father shot dead and her mother burned alive by Boko Haram. Now she is with no family in a camp.” 
• “Sauki is 14. she fled Michika town when Boko Haram rolled in. Family now scattered. In tears in camp + no idea where her Mum is.” 
• “Fati is 80 and almost blind. She hid in her room when Boko Haram took over Gwoza town. Was sneaked out by brother.”
• “Bizarre slogan. ‘Success is overcoming many failures’ written on side of Nigeria's First Nation airplane. I'll take a donkey thanks.”