October 16 - 22, 2014

Media Monitoring Report for Nigeria

Posted on October 22, 2014

Compiled by Claire Duguid

Targeted Attacks
Responses to Reported Ceasefire
Government Censorship

Targeted Attacks

Gunmen invade hospital, kill guard

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 16 2014

Gunmen attempted to invade the Jos University Teaching Hospital, killing one of the guards who refused to let them into the hospital without being checked.
The fight broke out as the guards insisted on checking the gunmen’s car and found a horde of weapons inside.
The mission of the gunmen is still unknown, security personnel are now stationed inside the hospital as well as outside.

Gunmen attack communities in Nasarawa, killed 10

Daily Independent, Lagos-based Daily, October 17 2014

Approximately 300 gunmen invaded Sabon-Gida in Lafia, Nasarawa State, killing ten people and burning over 50 houses. Nearby villages Asumeku, Gidan Dama and Gidan Tyodun were also attacked.
The attack lasted hours before security officers intervened, and thousands of people were displaced.

Boko Haram captures another Borno town, hoists flag

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 19 2014

Over 100 heavily armed suspected Boko Haram members have taken the town of Abadam in Borno State. The attack began Friday evening and continued until Sunday, once the town was taken the insurgents hoisted their black and white flag.
Boko Haram has now taken three towns in strategic locations in the area.

Militants beheads six in Borno, kills 14 in Taraba

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 19 2014

Members of Boko Haram beheaded six people on the Biu-Garkida road in Borno State and left the bodies on the road.
This attack followed the invasion of Abadam where Boko Haram is now in full control.

Soldiers kill 25 Boko Haram, recover arms in fresh attack on Damboa

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, October 20 2014

25 Boko Haram members in Damboa, Borno State have been killed by soldiers from the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army.
Over 100 insurgents armed with AK47’s and rocket propelled launchers stormed the state capital but were repelled by the military troops.
This attack is raising questions over the validity of the reported ceasefire between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.

Fulani herdsmen kill 31 in Taraba

Punch, Privately-owned Newspaper, October 21 2014

30 Christians in Taraba State have been killed by Hausa-Fulani herdsmen. The Christian Reformed Church is appealing to the government to stop the bloodshed.
State residents express their anger at the government’s determination to ignore security warnings and at the continuation of the violence even though a ceasefire was reported.

Responses to Reported Ceasefire

Boko Haram Ceasefire: Adamawa Residents Allege Foul play

Leadership, Abuja-based Daily, October 18 2014

News of a ceasefire between the Federal Government and Boko Haram is not yet being celebrated across Nigeria. In Adamawa State, one of the most heavily affected areas by insurgency violence, residents doubt the legitimacy of the agreement.
Though it is a welcomed development, many residents believe that the Federal Government is using the ceasefire to gain the support of northern communities for the upcoming elections. The timing is seen as suspicious as the violence has been raging on for years and this is the first real attempt by the government to curb the insurgency.
It is also a surprise that the government could enter into a ceasefire after consistently labelling Boko Haram as a ‘faceless group’ and too much compromise could lead to other groups taking military stances to get what they want.

Borno elders question Boko Haram ‘ceasefire’ deal

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, October 20 2014

Retired senior civilian and military officials in the Borno Elders Forum doubt the legitimacy of the supposed ceasefire between the Boko Haram and the Federal Government. One spokesperson suggested that the government is either dealing with a group who is not Boko Haram, or is lying completely.
There has been a continuation of insurgency violence, especially in Borno and Adamawa States, reaffirming the Borno elders’ suspicions.
“The real Boko Haram who are killing us, who are burning our towns and villages, are not the Boko Haram that a peace deal was reached with.”

‘If despite deal girls do not return, Jonathan will be no worse off ‘

Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, October 21 2014

The government announcement of a ceasefire and deal to release the Chibok girls was not aimed at gaining domestic support but improving Nigeria’s reputation in the international community.
Continued violence has already affirmed suspicions of the deal’s illegitimacy and many see strategic timing in the announcement, but former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, says Nigerian elections are not issue-based and the Chibok girls crisis is more important internationally than in Nigeria. Campbell suggests Jonathan has oil and trade incentives for improving his international standing.
New York Times columnist Adewale Maja-Pearce agrees, saying that bringing the girls back will help Jonathan internationally but not bringing them back will not hurt him.

Government Censorship

Presidency says #BringBackOurGirls campaigners plan to unseat Jonathan