11-18 March 2016

1. Boko Haram

Privately Owned Media

“Maiduguri Suicide Blast: Death Toll Rises to 25” Vanguard, Lagos-based Daily, 17 March 2016

• The death toll in a suicide attack by female bombers at a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri has risen to 25, a regional official said Thursday
• The bombing, carried out by two women disguised as men, hit the Molai district of Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, which has been repeatedly targeted by the Islamists in the past
• The attack was only the second this month in northeastern Nigeria and came after four raids and suicide bombings in February and eight in January believed to be the work of Boko Haram — a marked fall since last year

Social Media

Will Ross (@willintune): BBC Correspondent Nigeria, 16 March 2016

“The atrocities continue in the north-east of Nigeria. AP reporting that 22 people were killed in a mosque attack in Maiduguri.”

2. Responses to Boko Haram

Privately Owned Media

“Troops Recover Armored Carrier, Clear Bulasari of Boko Haram” Daily Trust, Abuja-based Daily, 16 March

• Troops of the Nigerian army on clearance operation of Boko Haram camps and hideouts have recovered an army Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) at Bulasari, Borno State
• The army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman in a statement Wednesday said troops of 120 Task Force Battalion cleared the camp at Bulasari, after clearing Golgore camp on Tuesday

“Senate Throws out Gender Equality Bill"Punch, Privately Owned Daily, 15 march 2016

• The Senate has rejected a bill seeking to empower women politically and economically, as well as grant them equal opportunities with men in diverse human endeavors
• Those who opposed the bill argued that most of its provisions were in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the same reason given by lawmakers in the Seventh Senate, when similar bill was also rejected

3. IDP Crisis

Privately Owned Media

“Senate Votes N10 Billion to Resettle IDPs” Guardian, Lagos-based Daily, 16 March 2016

• The Senate yesterday directed its Appropriation Committee to rejig the 2016 Appropriation Bill with a view to allocating the sum of N10 billion for the relocation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states