The Nigerian government on Sunday confirmed that 110 girls were missing after a Boko Haram school attack in the northeast, following days of silence on the children&#39;s fate.

&quot;The Federal Government has confirmed that 110 students of the Government Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State, are so far unaccounted for, after insurgents believed to be from a faction of Boko Haram invaded their school on Monday&quot;, the information ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after authorities were unable to account for 110 of the school&#39;s 906 students, the ministry said.

The kidnapping has raised questions about the military&#39;s repeated claims that the Islamist militants are on the verge of defeat, after nearly nine years of bitter fighting.

It has also revived memories of the 2014 mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok that shook the world.

On Monday night, terrified pupils fled the boarding school night when heavily armed fighters in military fatigues and turbans stormed the town, shouting &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; (&quot;God is greatest&quot;).

The authorities initially denied that any student had been kidnapped.

On Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari apologised to the girls&#39;&nbsp;families, saying: &quot;This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened.&quot;Former military ruler Buhari was elected in

2015 on a promise to defeat Boko Haram, after the jihadists grew in strength under his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan was lambasted for his tardy response to the Chibok abduction, which saw 276 girls from the town in Borno state taken in the dead of night.

In his first expanded comments on Dapchi, Buhari said: &quot;This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened.&quot;

A teacher at the school, Amsani Alilawan, said there were soldiers in Dapchi until last month but they were then redeployed.

&quot;One month back, they carry (take away) all soldiers, they transferred them to another side, they leave us without security,&quot; he said.

Enraged relatives of the missing girls this week tried to surround the convoy of the state mayor of Yobe, only to be pushed back by the security forces.

The kidnapping is the worst jihadist assault to have hit Nigeria since Buhari came to power.

Schools, particularly those with a secular curriculum, have been targeted by Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates from Hausa as &quot;Western education is forbidden&quot;.

Boko Haram&#39;s quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria has left at least 20,000 dead and made more than 2.6 million others homeless since 2009.

The jihadists have increasingly turned to kidnapping for ransom as a way to finance their operations and win back key commanders in prisoner swaps with the Nigerian government.

The kidnapping has raised questions about the military's repeated claims that the Islamist militants are on the verge of defeat, after nearly nine years of bitter fighting

The Nigerian government on Sunday confirmed that 110 girls were missing after a Boko Haram school attack in the northeast, following days of silence on the children's fate. "The Federal Government has confirmed that 110 students of the Government Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State, are so far unaccounted for, after insurgents believed to be from a faction of Boko Haram invaded their school on Monday", the information ministry said in a statement. The statement came after authorities were unable to account for 110 of the school's 906 students, the ministry said. The kidnapping has raised questions about the military's repeated claims that the Islamist militants are on the verge of defeat, after nearly nine years of bitter fighting. It has also revived memories of the 2014 mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok that shook the world. On Monday night, terrified pupils fled the boarding school night when heavily armed fighters in military fatigues and turbans stormed the town, shouting "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest"). The authorities initially denied that any student had been kidnapped. On Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari apologised to the girls' families, saying: "This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened."Former military ruler Buhari was elected in 2015 on a promise to defeat Boko Haram, after the jihadists grew in strength under his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan was lambasted for his tardy response to the Chibok abduction, which saw 276 girls from the town in Borno state taken in the dead of night. In his first expanded comments on Dapchi, Buhari said: "This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened." A teacher at the school, Amsani Alilawan, said there were soldiers in Dapchi until last month but they were then redeployed. "One month back, they carry (take away) all soldiers, they transferred them to another side, they leave us without security," he said. Enraged relatives of the missing girls this week tried to surround the convoy of the state mayor of Yobe, only to be pushed back by the security forces. The kidnapping is the worst jihadist assault to have hit Nigeria since Buhari came to power. Schools, particularly those with a secular curriculum, have been targeted by Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates from Hausa as "Western education is forbidden". Boko Haram's quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria has left at least 20,000 dead and made more than 2.6 million others homeless since 2009. The jihadists have increasingly turned to kidnapping for ransom as a way to finance their operations and win back key commanders in prisoner swaps with the Nigerian government.

Nigeria confirms 110 girls missing after Boko Haram school attack

The Nigerian military rescued 76 schoolgirls and recovered the bodies of two others on Wednesday, after the students went missing during a Boko Haram attack on a village, three parents, a resident and a local government official said.

More than 90 schoolgirls were feared missing after the attack on the village of Dapchi in the northeastern state of Yobe, sources said on Wednesday.

Reuters was unable to determine the situation of the remaining missing students.

Weapon of war 
 
Boko Haram has seized thousands of women and young girls, as well as men and boys of fighting age during the conflict, which has left at least 20,000 dead since 2009. 
 
Some 300 children were among 500 people abducted from the town of Damasak in November 2014. 
 
Getting accurate information from the remote northeast remains difficult. The army still largely controls access and infrastructure has been devastated by nine years of conflict. 
 
In Chibok, the military initially claimed the students had all been found but was forced to backtrack when parents and the school principal said otherwise. 
 
As the issue gained world attention, spawning the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, the then president Goodluck Jonathan was increasingly criticised for his lacklustre response. 
 
The mass abduction and Jonathan&#39;s handling of it was&nbsp;seen as contributing to his 2015 election defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, who promised to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end. 
 
But despite Buhari&#39;s repeated claims the group is weakened to the point of defeat, civilians remain vulnerable to suicide attacks and hit-and-run raids in the remote northeast.

Security analysts said&nbsp;on Tuesday that government ransom payments to secure the release of the Chibok girls could have given the under-pressure group ideas for financing.

&quot;They need money for arms, ammunition, vehicles, to keep their army of fighters moving across the borders,&quot; said Amaechi Nwokolo, from the Roman Institute of International Studies.

&quot;They&#39;re spending a lot of money on arms and logistics.&quot;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Islamist terrorists stormed the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe state, on Monday evening

The Nigerian military rescued 76 schoolgirls and recovered the bodies of two others on Wednesday, after the students went missing during a Boko Haram attack on a village, three parents, a resident and a local government official said. More than 90 schoolgirls were feared missing after the attack on the village of Dapchi in the northeastern state of Yobe, sources said on Wednesday. Reuters was unable to determine the situation of the remaining missing students. Weapon of war Boko Haram has seized thousands of women and young girls, as well as men and boys of fighting age during the conflict, which has left at least 20,000 dead since 2009. Some 300 children were among 500 people abducted from the town of Damasak in November 2014. Getting accurate information from the remote northeast remains difficult. The army still largely controls access and infrastructure has been devastated by nine years of conflict. In Chibok, the military initially claimed the students had all been found but was forced to backtrack when parents and the school principal said otherwise. As the issue gained world attention, spawning the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, the then president Goodluck Jonathan was increasingly criticised for his lacklustre response. The mass abduction and Jonathan's handling of it was seen as contributing to his 2015 election defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, who promised to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end. But despite Buhari's repeated claims the group is weakened to the point of defeat, civilians remain vulnerable to suicide attacks and hit-and-run raids in the remote northeast. Security analysts said on Tuesday that government ransom payments to secure the release of the Chibok girls could have given the under-pressure group ideas for financing. "They need money for arms, ammunition, vehicles, to keep their army of fighters moving across the borders," said Amaechi Nwokolo, from the Roman Institute of International Studies. "They're spending a lot of money on arms and logistics." (With inputs from Agencies)

Nigeria rescues 76 schoolgirls after Boko Haram attack, others missing

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-to-develop-railway-relations-between-india-and-iran-president-rouhani-33173" target="_blank">Iran, India ink nine pacts after &#39;substantive&#39; dialogues on wide range of issues</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-not-conspiring-to-help-scamsters-flee-but-catching-them-instead-nirmala-sitharaman-33179" target="_blank">PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says &#39;I&#39;ll sue you&#39;</a>

The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-9-killed-in-lpg-cylinder-blast-33188" target="_blank">Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast</a>

At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district,&nbsp; reports said quoting police sources.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-boko-haram-suicide-blasts-kill-19-in-nigeria-33169" target="_blank">Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria</a>

Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/america-will-regret-its-decision-if-it-violates-nuclear-agreement-president-rouhani-33189" target="_blank">America will regret its decision if it violates &#39;nuclear&#39; agreement: President Rouhani</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.&nbsp;

Iran, India ink nine pacts after 'substantive' dialogues on wide range of issues Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance. PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says 'I'll sue you' The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies. Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district, reports said quoting police sources. Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. America will regret its decision if it violates 'nuclear' agreement: President Rouhani Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.

WION Evening News brief, February 17, 2018

Up to 5,247 Muslims have been killed in the Boko Haram violence in seven local government areas of Adamawa town in northern Nigeria between 2013 and 2017.

According to local media reports, the data was revealed by the Adamawa State chapter of Muslim Council. The council represents all Islamic organisations in Adamawa. The affected areas were - Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Hong and Gombi.

A report signed by the Adamawa Council Chairman Abubakar Magaji and Secretary-General Ismaila Umaru indicates that another 5,161 Muslims sustained injuries.

The report also indicated that 12,732 properties belonging to Muslims in the councils, including houses, mosques, livestock and farm produce worth 81.6 billion nairas ($2.2 million) were destroyed by the insurgents. Madagali reported the highest number of dead victims with 2,500 people, while Hong had the least with 68 people.

Also, the Muslims in Michika suffered the highest amount of losses with property worth 23.3 billion nairas destroyed, while Maiha reported least losses with 157 million nairas.

The report recommended the reconstruction of places of worship and Islamic schools destroyed. It also suggested an increase in security personnel and providing financial support to the victims, who in turn, will assist the military in fighting against the militants.

Adamawa is one of the three states in Nigeria most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, followed by Borno and Yobe states.&nbsp;

Up to 5,247 Muslims have been killed in the Boko Haram violence in seven local government areas of Adamawa town in northern Nigeria between 2013 and 2017

Up to 5,247 Muslims have been killed in the Boko Haram violence in seven local government areas of Adamawa town in northern Nigeria between 2013 and 2017. According to local media reports, the data was revealed by the Adamawa State chapter of Muslim Council. The council represents all Islamic organisations in Adamawa. The affected areas were - Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Hong and Gombi. A report signed by the Adamawa Council Chairman Abubakar Magaji and Secretary-General Ismaila Umaru indicates that another 5,161 Muslims sustained injuries. The report also indicated that 12,732 properties belonging to Muslims in the councils, including houses, mosques, livestock and farm produce worth 81.6 billion nairas ($2.2 million) were destroyed by the insurgents. Madagali reported the highest number of dead victims with 2,500 people, while Hong had the least with 68 people. Also, the Muslims in Michika suffered the highest amount of losses with property worth 23.3 billion nairas destroyed, while Maiha reported least losses with 157 million nairas. The report recommended the reconstruction of places of worship and Islamic schools destroyed. It also suggested an increase in security personnel and providing financial support to the victims, who in turn, will assist the military in fighting against the militants. Adamawa is one of the three states in Nigeria most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, followed by Borno and Yobe states.

Over 5,000 Muslims killed in Boko Haram violence, reveals Islamic body data

The home of Boko Haram&#39;s founder is to be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday.

Muhammad Yusuf, a charismatic Muslim preacher, founded the group in 2001 from his base in the Railway suburb of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

His followers at the time were disgruntled young people, who met at Yusuf&#39;s &quot;Markaz&quot; (centre in Arabic), which comprised a mosque and his living quarters.

Yusuf conducted fiery sermons from the mosque calling for jihad (holy war) against what he perceived to be a corrupt, secular government.

The Borno state information commissioner, Muhammad Bulama, said converting the building into a museum would be a way of &quot;documenting, preserving and archiving our history&quot;.

&quot;The Boko Haram insurgency is a turning point in the history of Borno state and the northeast. Our history cannot be written without reference to Boko Haram,&quot; he told AFP.

&quot;We want to document it for posterity to have a clear and correct picture of what happened.&quot;

The rebuilt &quot;Markaz&quot; would house &quot;all objects related to the insurgency&quot;, he added, rejecting the possibility that it would immortalise Yusuf.

&#39;Global practice&#39;&nbsp;

The building has been in ruins since it was reduced to a pile of rubble in the July 2009 military crackdown against the group that is taken as the start of the insurgency.

Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody after six days of violent clashes between Boko Haram supporters and the military in Maiduguri.

Some 800 people were killed, most of them members of the groups.

Since Yusuf&#39;s deputy, Abubakar Shekau, took over, Boko Haram has developed into one of the world&#39;s deadliest jihadist groups.

At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

It achieved global notoriety when fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014.

Bulama said it was &quot;global practice&quot; to set up museums &quot;wherever violent upheavals&quot; have taken place and it would not be the first such building in Borno state.

A fort built by Rabe, a tyrannical Sudanese raider who conquered the former Kanem-Borno empire in 1893, was turned into a national monument, he added.

It is situated in the town of Dikwa, some 90 kilometres (nearly 60 miles) from Maiduguri. &quot;Rabe was just like Muhammad Yusuf,&quot; said Bulama.

Last December, Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, announced plans to convert Boko Haram&#39;s &quot;Camp Zairo&quot; enclave in the Sambisa Forest into a museum.

Nigerian soldiers overran the base after months of fighting. Shettima said December 22 would be a public holiday in the state to mark the victory.

There have since been indications that Boko Haram fighters have returned to the camp, despite denials from the military.

The home of Boko Haram's founder is to be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday.

The home of Boko Haram's founder is to be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday. Muhammad Yusuf, a charismatic Muslim preacher, founded the group in 2001 from his base in the Railway suburb of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. His followers at the time were disgruntled young people, who met at Yusuf's "Markaz" (centre in Arabic), which comprised a mosque and his living quarters. Yusuf conducted fiery sermons from the mosque calling for jihad (holy war) against what he perceived to be a corrupt, secular government. The Borno state information commissioner, Muhammad Bulama, said converting the building into a museum would be a way of "documenting, preserving and archiving our history". "The Boko Haram insurgency is a turning point in the history of Borno state and the northeast. Our history cannot be written without reference to Boko Haram," he told AFP. "We want to document it for posterity to have a clear and correct picture of what happened." The rebuilt "Markaz" would house "all objects related to the insurgency", he added, rejecting the possibility that it would immortalise Yusuf. 'Global practice' The building has been in ruins since it was reduced to a pile of rubble in the July 2009 military crackdown against the group that is taken as the start of the insurgency. Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody after six days of violent clashes between Boko Haram supporters and the military in Maiduguri. Some 800 people were killed, most of them members of the groups. Since Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, took over, Boko Haram has developed into one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. It achieved global notoriety when fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. Bulama said it was "global practice" to set up museums "wherever violent upheavals" have taken place and it would not be the first such building in Borno state. A fort built by Rabe, a tyrannical Sudanese raider who conquered the former Kanem-Borno empire in 1893, was turned into a national monument, he added. It is situated in the town of Dikwa, some 90 kilometres (nearly 60 miles) from Maiduguri. "Rabe was just like Muhammad Yusuf," said Bulama. Last December, Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, announced plans to convert Boko Haram's "Camp Zairo" enclave in the Sambisa Forest into a museum. Nigerian soldiers overran the base after months of fighting. Shettima said December 22 would be a public holiday in the state to mark the victory. There have since been indications that Boko Haram fighters have returned to the camp, despite denials from the military.

Boko Haram founder's home to become museum

Perhaps no single demographic faces greater persecution than women living in conflict zones. Either as members of rebel groups or victims of state-led violence, women in armed conflict are vulnerable and usually always the victims.

This victimisation is part of an organised policy that weaponises their bodies and minds for dominance, power and control by men, in war. And it&rsquo;s a method chosen by both state and non-state actors. Whether it be the enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women by ISIS, the abduction of women and girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria, or the mass-scale rapes of women by soldiers in Syria, conflict always reveals horrific levels of repression women across the world continue to face. India is no exception to the rule. Frequently prone to insurgencies and ethnic conflict, the stories of women in India&rsquo;s conflict zones, whether it is Manipur, Chattisgarh, or Kashmir, bear the scars of brutality, sexual violence, and oppression.

One of the most important cases that catapulted the issue of brutality against women in war in India was the murder of a Manipuri girl, Thangjam Manorama by members of the 17 Assam Rifles. The Chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission tasked with the responsibility to investigate the murder called it one of the most shocking custodial killings.

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<h5>In Kashmir, years of a brutal insurgency between the Indian state and militant groups inflicted its highest toll on women.</h5>
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Thangjam had been sexually assaulted repeatedly and had eight bullets pumped into her. In Kashmir, years of a brutal insurgency between the Indian state and militant groups inflicted its highest toll on women. Rita Manchanda and Urvashi Bhutalia who have extensively worked on this issue show, in their body of work, that in Kashmir, women are either killed in crossfire, shot at in public demonstrations, blown up in grenade explosions across the Line of Control (LoC) or raped by militants.

Both security forces and militant groups use rape as an instrument of control, though, the objectives are markedly different. While militants use rape to humiliate and silence members of minority communities like the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, Indian security forces have used rape to punish those suspected of links to militant groups.

A Human Rights Report published by the US State Department in 1999-2000 documents how paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir and the police were culpable in a broader pattern of custodial abuse. The 1991 Kunan-Pushpora incident is still a dark episode in the history of Kashmir&rsquo;s internal conflict when four soldiers belonging to the Rashtriya Rifles allegedly raped at least 23 women in Kashmir&rsquo;s Kunan and Pushpora villages.

Twenty-six years later, six of the victims are deceased and justice remains elusive. In a separate case in 2009, 22-year-old Neelofer Jan and her 17-year-old sister-in-law Asiya Jan were allegedly raped and murdered by CRPF forces in Shopian, Kashmir. Despite setting up several inquiries to investigate the matter, the results were inconclusive and justice, again, a foregone conclusion.

There is another side to the story, though. A 2017 NPR report reveals how many Kashmiri women are actively aiding militants against the Indian state. Alternatively, Kashmiri Pandit women belonging to the Hindu community are killed in militant attacks, the 1998 Wandhama massacre being the case in point. These stories are telling in that not just majority Muslim women but Hindu women and those belonging to minority groups in Kashmir are caught in a relentless cycle of violence between state and militant groups.

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Women living in Maoist-held insurgent territory face a similar fate. In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission reported that at least 16 tribal women were allegedly raped and killed by police in Bastar. While many of these reports are evidence of the impunity state security forces and police exercise in conflict zones, one cannot entirely ignore the role of female Maoist cadres leading an orchestrated campaign of violence against the Indian state.

But their victimisation has a different source. These women are deeply indoctrinated into an ideology that views violence as a means of liberation and emancipation. Much of the result of such ideological violence is that the same women inevitably become victims of both state violence and extremist indoctrination, their bodies constant targets of physical and emotional abuse.

Where do we go from here? There are several ways to address the subjugation and brutalisation of women in India&rsquo;s conflict zones. While these measures will not entirely eliminate the problem, they could alleviate the suffering of many women.

First, a speedy justice system that punishes the perpetrators quickly is essential. Much of the violence against women continues unabated when those perpetrating the abuse are convinced they can get away with it. For instance, problematic parts of laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) need to be amended to place limits on military powers.

Second, police and military personnel must receive mandatory training and socialisation in how to approach women in conflict zones, carrying a penalty for misdemeanours.

Third, civil society must work with non-governmental organisations to spread greater awareness about the experiences of women in violence-afflicted zones and offer assistance in any way possible. Journalists, too, must continue to educate and confront the problem. Finally, cultural norms that sustain a deeply patriarchal society must be challenged and broken. The onus is on us, both men and women, to do it.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

There is need to end violence against women in conflict zones because as members of rebel groups or victims of state-led violence, women in armed conflict are vulnerable and usually the victims

Perhaps no single demographic faces greater persecution than women living in conflict zones. Either as members of rebel groups or victims of state-led violence, women in armed conflict are vulnerable and usually always the victims. This victimisation is part of an organised policy that weaponises their bodies and minds for dominance, power and control by men, in war. And it’s a method chosen by both state and non-state actors. Whether it be the enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women by ISIS, the abduction of women and girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria, or the mass-scale rapes of women by soldiers in Syria, conflict always reveals horrific levels of repression women across the world continue to face. India is no exception to the rule. Frequently prone to insurgencies and ethnic conflict, the stories of women in India’s conflict zones, whether it is Manipur, Chattisgarh, or Kashmir, bear the scars of brutality, sexual violence, and oppression. One of the most important cases that catapulted the issue of brutality against women in war in India was the murder of a Manipuri girl, Thangjam Manorama by members of the 17 Assam Rifles. The Chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission tasked with the responsibility to investigate the murder called it one of the most shocking custodial killings. In Kashmir, years of a brutal insurgency between the Indian state and militant groups inflicted its highest toll on women. × Thangjam had been sexually assaulted repeatedly and had eight bullets pumped into her. In Kashmir, years of a brutal insurgency between the Indian state and militant groups inflicted its highest toll on women. Rita Manchanda and Urvashi Bhutalia who have extensively worked on this issue show, in their body of work, that in Kashmir, women are either killed in crossfire, shot at in public demonstrations, blown up in grenade explosions across the Line of Control (LoC) or raped by militants. Both security forces and militant groups use rape as an instrument of control, though, the objectives are markedly different. While militants use rape to humiliate and silence members of minority communities like the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, Indian security forces have used rape to punish those suspected of links to militant groups. A Human Rights Report published by the US State Department in 1999-2000 documents how paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir and the police were culpable in a broader pattern of custodial abuse. The 1991 Kunan-Pushpora incident is still a dark episode in the history of Kashmir’s internal conflict when four soldiers belonging to the Rashtriya Rifles allegedly raped at least 23 women in Kashmir’s Kunan and Pushpora villages. Twenty-six years later, six of the victims are deceased and justice remains elusive. In a separate case in 2009, 22-year-old Neelofer Jan and her 17-year-old sister-in-law Asiya Jan were allegedly raped and murdered by CRPF forces in Shopian, Kashmir. Despite setting up several inquiries to investigate the matter, the results were inconclusive and justice, again, a foregone conclusion. There is another side to the story, though. A 2017 NPR report reveals how many Kashmiri women are actively aiding militants against the Indian state. Alternatively, Kashmiri Pandit women belonging to the Hindu community are killed in militant attacks, the 1998 Wandhama massacre being the case in point. These stories are telling in that not just majority Muslim women but Hindu women and those belonging to minority groups in Kashmir are caught in a relentless cycle of violence between state and militant groups. The women are deeply indoctrinated into an ideology that views violence as a means of liberation and emancipation. × Women living in Maoist-held insurgent territory face a similar fate. In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission reported that at least 16 tribal women were allegedly raped and killed by police in Bastar. While many of these reports are evidence of the impunity state security forces and police exercise in conflict zones, one cannot entirely ignore the role of female Maoist cadres leading an orchestrated campaign of violence against the Indian state. But their victimisation has a different source. These women are deeply indoctrinated into an ideology that views violence as a means of liberation and emancipation. Much of the result of such ideological violence is that the same women inevitably become victims of both state violence and extremist indoctrination, their bodies constant targets of physical and emotional abuse. Where do we go from here? There are several ways to address the subjugation and brutalisation of women in India’s conflict zones. While these measures will not entirely eliminate the problem, they could alleviate the suffering of many women. First, a speedy justice system that punishes the perpetrators quickly is essential. Much of the violence against women continues unabated when those perpetrating the abuse are convinced they can get away with it. For instance, problematic parts of laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) need to be amended to place limits on military powers. Second, police and military personnel must receive mandatory training and socialisation in how to approach women in conflict zones, carrying a penalty for misdemeanours. Third, civil society must work with non-governmental organisations to spread greater awareness about the experiences of women in violence-afflicted zones and offer assistance in any way possible. Journalists, too, must continue to educate and confront the problem. Finally, cultural norms that sustain a deeply patriarchal society must be challenged and broken. The onus is on us, both men and women, to do it. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Women and the wounds of war

At least 50 people were killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, police said, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists.

The blast happened during early morning prayers at the Madina mosque in the Unguwar Shuwa area of Mubi, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the Adamawa state capital, Yola.

&quot;So far we have at least 50 dead from an attack at a mosque in Mubi,&quot; Adamawa state police spokesman Othman Abubakar told AFP.

&quot;Several people were injured. We don&#39;t have the figure now because they have been taken to several hospitals for treatment.

&quot;It was a (suicide) bomber who mingled with worshippers. He entered the mosque along with other worshippers for the morning prayers.

&quot;It was when the prayers were on that he set off his explosives.&quot;

Asked who was responsible, Abubakar said: &quot;We all know the trend. We don&#39;t suspect anyone specifically but we know those behind such kind of attacks.&quot;

The attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram, the Islamist militants whose insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead and more than 2.6 million others homeless since 2009.

Haruna Furo, head of the Adamawa state emergency management agency, and Musa Hamad Bello, chairman of the Mubi north local government area, both confirmed the attack.

They gave lower death tolls but both said the number of those killed was likely to rise.

Another emergency services official described the blast as &quot;devastating&quot;. He said only that there were &quot;high casualties&quot;.

Abubakar Sule, who lives near the mosque, said he had just returned home when he heard the blast.

&quot;I was there when the rescue was on and 40 people died on the spot and several others were taken to hospital with severe and life-threatening injuries,&quot; he added.

&quot;The roof was blown off. People near the mosque said the prayer was mid-way when the bomber, who was obviously in the congregation, detonated his explosives.

&quot;This is obviously the work of Boko Haram.&quot;

Boko Haram briefly overran Mubi in late 2014 as its fighters rampaged across northeastern Nigeria, seizing towns and villages in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state.

The town&#39;s name was changed temporarily to Madinatul Islam, or &quot;City of Islam&quot; in Arabic, during the Boko Haram occupation.

But it has been peaceful since the military and the civilian militia ousted them from the town, which is a commercial hub and home to the Adamawa State University.

In recent months, Boko Haram activity has been concentrated on the far north of Adamawa state, around Madagali, which is near the border with neighbouring Borno state.

Earlier this month, at least two civilians were killed when dozens of Boko Haram fighters tried to storm the town of Gulak but were repelled by soldiers.

There have been repeated suicide bombings in the area, which lies not far from the Sambisa Forest area of Borno, where the militants had a base.

Boko Haram fighters are also said to be hiding in the Mandara mountains, to the east of Adamawa state, which forms the border with neighbouring Cameroon.

The blast happened during early morning prayers at the Madina mosque in the Unguwar Shuwa area of Mubi in northeast Nigeria

At least 50 people were killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, police said, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. The blast happened during early morning prayers at the Madina mosque in the Unguwar Shuwa area of Mubi, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the Adamawa state capital, Yola. "So far we have at least 50 dead from an attack at a mosque in Mubi," Adamawa state police spokesman Othman Abubakar told AFP. "Several people were injured. We don't have the figure now because they have been taken to several hospitals for treatment. "It was a (suicide) bomber who mingled with worshippers. He entered the mosque along with other worshippers for the morning prayers. "It was when the prayers were on that he set off his explosives." Asked who was responsible, Abubakar said: "We all know the trend. We don't suspect anyone specifically but we know those behind such kind of attacks." The attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram, the Islamist militants whose insurgency has left at least 20,000 people dead and more than 2.6 million others homeless since 2009. Haruna Furo, head of the Adamawa state emergency management agency, and Musa Hamad Bello, chairman of the Mubi north local government area, both confirmed the attack. They gave lower death tolls but both said the number of those killed was likely to rise. Another emergency services official described the blast as "devastating". He said only that there were "high casualties". Abubakar Sule, who lives near the mosque, said he had just returned home when he heard the blast. "I was there when the rescue was on and 40 people died on the spot and several others were taken to hospital with severe and life-threatening injuries," he added. "The roof was blown off. People near the mosque said the prayer was mid-way when the bomber, who was obviously in the congregation, detonated his explosives. "This is obviously the work of Boko Haram." Boko Haram briefly overran Mubi in late 2014 as its fighters rampaged across northeastern Nigeria, seizing towns and villages in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state. The town's name was changed temporarily to Madinatul Islam, or "City of Islam" in Arabic, during the Boko Haram occupation. But it has been peaceful since the military and the civilian militia ousted them from the town, which is a commercial hub and home to the Adamawa State University. In recent months, Boko Haram activity has been concentrated on the far north of Adamawa state, around Madagali, which is near the border with neighbouring Borno state. Earlier this month, at least two civilians were killed when dozens of Boko Haram fighters tried to storm the town of Gulak but were repelled by soldiers. There have been repeated suicide bombings in the area, which lies not far from the Sambisa Forest area of Borno, where the militants had a base. Boko Haram fighters are also said to be hiding in the Mandara mountains, to the east of Adamawa state, which forms the border with neighbouring Cameroon.

At least 50 dead after suicide bomber strikes Nigeria mosque

Three female suicide bombers killed 13 people and wounded 16 in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, security sources said.

The first bomber detonated her explosive belt around 9:45 pm (local time) yesterday in front of a small restaurant in the capital of Borno state &quot;when people were buying their dinner,&quot; a military source said on condition of anonymity, giving the death toll.

The two other bombers followed minutes later, resulting in the injured, an armed militia leader said, noting that the attack came &quot;hours after reports of sighting of a lot of Boko Haram members outside the city.&quot;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

The Boko Haram conflict has left at least 20,000 dead and forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their homes since 2009.

Roads to and from Maiduguri are nominally open to traffic, but in reality, vehicles require a military escort because of the risk of attack.

Nigeria&#39;s military and government maintain that Boko Haram is a spent force as a result of sustained counterinsurgency operations against the militants since early 2015.

Deadly attacks have dropped in recent weeks, which security sources attribute to renewed military offensives after the end of the rainy season in September.

The first bomber detonated her explosive belt around 9:45 pm (local time) yesterday in front of a small restaurant in the capital of Borno state

Three female suicide bombers killed 13 people and wounded 16 in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, security sources said. The first bomber detonated her explosive belt around 9:45 pm (local time) yesterday in front of a small restaurant in the capital of Borno state "when people were buying their dinner," a military source said on condition of anonymity, giving the death toll. The two other bombers followed minutes later, resulting in the injured, an armed militia leader said, noting that the attack came "hours after reports of sighting of a lot of Boko Haram members outside the city." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. The Boko Haram conflict has left at least 20,000 dead and forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their homes since 2009. Roads to and from Maiduguri are nominally open to traffic, but in reality, vehicles require a military escort because of the risk of attack. Nigeria's military and government maintain that Boko Haram is a spent force as a result of sustained counterinsurgency operations against the militants since early 2015. Deadly attacks have dropped in recent weeks, which security sources attribute to renewed military offensives after the end of the rainy season in September.

Nigeria triple suicide attack kills 13: Security sources

Marking a new phase in the world of fictional superheroes and heroines, Marvel Comics is out with a character called Ngozi based on a real-life example.&nbsp;

Ngozi is a teenage superheroine inspired by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-boko-haram-releases-82-chibok-girls-in-prisoner-swap-15292" target="_blank">Nigeria&#39;s kidnapped Chibok girls</a> who fight evil in Lagos, Nigeria&#39;s largest city.&nbsp;

The character appeared in the title &quot;Blessing in Disguise&quot; which will be the American company&#39;s first story to be set in the real-life African country, Nigeria&#39;s commercial capital to be exact and will feature a Nigerian super heroine.

Ngozi, the super heroine gets her inspiration from the 2014 abduction of more than 200 school girls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/boko-haram-uprising-likely-to-cause-catastrophic-famine-like-conditions-12185" target="_blank">militant group Boko Haram</a>. It was only last month that all girls returned to safety and underwent&nbsp;psychological and medical treatment before they could reunite with family.&nbsp;

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It features a girl named Ngozi (a name that mens Blessing), the Venom Symbiote, Black Panther, and the Rhino. Wahala ensues.
&mdash; Nnedi Okorafor, PhD (@Nnedi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nnedi/status/896021789217873920">August 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Speaking to Thomson Reuters Foundation,&nbsp;Nnedi Okorafor, an award-winning Nigeria-American writer said, &quot;It was an important decision for me to base Ngozi on one of the Chibok girls.&quot;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/boko-haram-releases-new-video-of-alleged-chibok-girls-4897" target="_blank">high profile abduction</a> got worldwide attention and champions for the cause of the girl&#39;s release spoke strongly against the militant group.

Marvel&#39;s author hopes that the teenager superheroine will resonate with girls across the country and that they will draw inspiration from her.&nbsp;

She added, &quot;They were normal girls who suddenly had to deal with a huge change in their lives ... and their story of perseverance is so powerful. Like many Nigerian girls, Ngozi comes in a small package but is strong-willed and determined.&rdquo;

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A preview page of my 8 -page short, &quot;Blessing in Disguise&quot;. <a href="https://t.co/CN49zqRKyq">pic.twitter.com/CN49zqRKyq</a>
&mdash; Nnedi Okorafor, PhD (@Nnedi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nnedi/status/905433086401400832">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Ngozi&#39;s character featured in a short story as part of Marvel&#39;s &ldquo;Venomverse&rdquo; comic. It was published on Wednesday and saw Ngozi appear alongside well-established Marvel characters from Venom to the Black Panther.

The comic author also spoke about the need for diversity in super heroines with a mix of all cultures. She said,&nbsp;&ldquo;I&lsquo;m a huge Wonder Woman fan, but we can really push it further when it comes to diversity.&nbsp;I&lsquo;m not just talking about race and sexual orientation, but about having a range of personalities with different desires, dreams, and flaws. I don&rsquo;t only want to see badass female characters, I want to see much less predictable ones.&rdquo;

The news of a super heroine from Africa has triggered excitement among comic lovers with many taking to Twitter:&nbsp;

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New <a href="https://twitter.com/Marvel">@Marvel</a> superhero is Nigerian, named Ngozi &amp; inspired by Chibok girls who survived abduction by Boko Haram. Take that 2017! ???? <a href="https://t.co/9ksqxwpTXT">https://t.co/9ksqxwpTXT</a>
&mdash; Astrid Rodrigues (@astridrodrigues) <a href="https://twitter.com/astridrodrigues/status/905615717126594567">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NGOZI?src=hash">#NGOZI</a> I am so down for this bring the blessings!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/marvel?src=hash">#marvel</a> is awesome for this, all the success to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/okorafor?src=hash">#okorafor</a> ????????????????????
&mdash; Katherine Ann Rogers (@RogerThatKat) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerThatKat/status/901871902616158213">August 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I just died and went to heaven!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ngozi?src=hash">#Ngozi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackPanther?src=hash">#BlackPanther</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marvel?src=hash">#Marvel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackExcellence?src=hash">#BlackExcellence</a><a href="https://twitter.com/BlackGirlNerds">@BlackGirlNerds</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SonofBaldwin">@SonofBaldwin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JosephPIllidge">@JosephPIllidge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLegendBooks">@TheLegendBooks</a> <a href="https://t.co/C5Rt1m57WQ">https://t.co/C5Rt1m57WQ</a>
&mdash; Black Madonna (@AnasuyaIam) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnasuyaIam/status/896067744080175104">August 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Looks like it&#39;s time to move beyond Wonder Woman, Ngozi is the new heroine to watch out for!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The comic is written by award-winning Nigeria-American writer, Nnedi Okorafor

Marking a new phase in the world of fictional superheroes and heroines, Marvel Comics is out with a character called Ngozi based on a real-life example. Ngozi is a teenage superheroine inspired by Nigeria's kidnapped Chibok girls who fight evil in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city. The character appeared in the title "Blessing in Disguise" which will be the American company's first story to be set in the real-life African country, Nigeria's commercial capital to be exact and will feature a Nigerian super heroine. Ngozi, the super heroine gets her inspiration from the 2014 abduction of more than 200 school girls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria by the militant group Boko Haram. It was only last month that all girls returned to safety and underwent psychological and medical treatment before they could reunite with family. It features a girl named Ngozi (a name that mens Blessing), the Venom Symbiote, Black Panther, and the Rhino. Wahala ensues. — Nnedi Okorafor, PhD (@Nnedi) August 11, 2017 × Speaking to Thomson Reuters Foundation, Nnedi Okorafor, an award-winning Nigeria-American writer said, "It was an important decision for me to base Ngozi on one of the Chibok girls." The high profile abduction got worldwide attention and champions for the cause of the girl's release spoke strongly against the militant group. Marvel's author hopes that the teenager superheroine will resonate with girls across the country and that they will draw inspiration from her. She added, "They were normal girls who suddenly had to deal with a huge change in their lives ... and their story of perseverance is so powerful. Like many Nigerian girls, Ngozi comes in a small package but is strong-willed and determined.” A preview page of my 8 -page short, "Blessing in Disguise". pic.twitter.com/CN49zqRKyq — Nnedi Okorafor, PhD (@Nnedi) September 6, 2017 × Ngozi's character featured in a short story as part of Marvel's “Venomverse” comic. It was published on Wednesday and saw Ngozi appear alongside well-established Marvel characters from Venom to the Black Panther. The comic author also spoke about the need for diversity in super heroines with a mix of all cultures. She said, “I‘m a huge Wonder Woman fan, but we can really push it further when it comes to diversity. I‘m not just talking about race and sexual orientation, but about having a range of personalities with different desires, dreams, and flaws. I don’t only want to see badass female characters, I want to see much less predictable ones.” The news of a super heroine from Africa has triggered excitement among comic lovers with many taking to Twitter: New @Marvel superhero is Nigerian, named Ngozi & inspired by Chibok girls who survived abduction by Boko Haram. Take that 2017! ???? https://t.co/9ksqxwpTXT — Astrid Rodrigues (@astridrodrigues) September 7, 2017 × #NGOZI I am so down for this bring the blessings!! #marvel is awesome for this, all the success to #okorafor ???????????????????? — Katherine Ann Rogers (@RogerThatKat) August 27, 2017 × I just died and went to heaven!#Ngozi #BlackPanther #Marvel #BlackExcellence@BlackGirlNerds @SonofBaldwin @JosephPIllidge @TheLegendBooks https://t.co/C5Rt1m57WQ — Black Madonna (@AnasuyaIam) August 11, 2017 × Looks like it's time to move beyond Wonder Woman, Ngozi is the new heroine to watch out for!

Marvel's new super heroine 'Ngozi' is Nigerian, inspired by Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram

At least 31 fishermen have been killed by Boko Haram jihadists in two separate attacks on islands in Lake Chad in northeastern Nigeria, fishermen and vigilantes fighting the Islamists told AFP late Monday.

Armed jihadists stormed the fishing islands of Duguri and Dabar Wanzam in the freshwater lake Saturday, attacking fishermen working in the area and shooting and hacking their victims.

&quot;Boko Haram attacked Duguri and Dabar Wanzam islands and killed 31 people,&quot; a member of a local militia fighting the jihadists in Maiduguri, Babakura Kolo told AFP.

&quot;They (Boko Haram) killed 14 in Duguri and another 17 in Dabar Wanzam,&quot; Kolo said.

The fishermen had returned to the fishing hub of Baga on the lake&#39;s shores days earlier and had paddled out to the two islands in wooden canoes on Friday, looking for fish, said another militia Musa Ari, who gave a similar account.

News of the attacks was slow to emerge with communication in the area difficult as Boko Haram has destroyed telecom masts in the region in attacks over the last few years.

The Boko Haram jihadists first attacked Duguri island where they killed 12 fishermen and injured two others who later died, said fisherman Sallau Inuwa.

&quot;The attackers split into two groups. While the first attacked Duguri the second went to nearby Dabar Wanzam where they laid in wait for those who fled the attack in Duguri. They killed 17 in Dabar Wanzam,&quot; Inuwa told AFP.

The attackers spared one fisherman in Duguri and loaded the 12 bodies of the men they killed in a canoe and ordered him to take them to Baga as a warning that no one should fish in the lake, said another fisherman Dauda Tukur.

&quot;They told the man they spared to inform the troops in Baga that they were waiting for them on the islands,&quot; he said.

The military and Nigerian officials have not yet commented on the attacks.

The attacks happened a week after military authorities lifted a two-year ban on fishing in the freshwater lake that straddles Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.

Nigerian military banned fishing on the Nigerian side of the lake following accusations that Boko Haram was using proceeds from fishing to fund its armed campaign.

The ban left thousands of displaced residents impoverished, forcing them to rely on food handouts from government and aid agencies.

The lifting of the ban drew many fishermen back to the area.

Although the military reclaimed Baga from Boko Haram in February 2015 allowing some residents to move back, jihadists continued to launch sporadic attacks from their hideouts on several islands dotting the lake, where dense vegetation provides cover against military attacks.

In November 2014 Boko Haram killed 48 fishermen near Baga who were on their way to neighbouring Chad to buy fish, in one of the deadliest attacks against fishermen by the jihadists in the area.

They were killed in two separate attacks on islands in Lake Chad in northeastern Nigeria

At least 31 fishermen have been killed by Boko Haram jihadists in two separate attacks on islands in Lake Chad in northeastern Nigeria, fishermen and vigilantes fighting the Islamists told AFP late Monday. Armed jihadists stormed the fishing islands of Duguri and Dabar Wanzam in the freshwater lake Saturday, attacking fishermen working in the area and shooting and hacking their victims. "Boko Haram attacked Duguri and Dabar Wanzam islands and killed 31 people," a member of a local militia fighting the jihadists in Maiduguri, Babakura Kolo told AFP. "They (Boko Haram) killed 14 in Duguri and another 17 in Dabar Wanzam," Kolo said. The fishermen had returned to the fishing hub of Baga on the lake's shores days earlier and had paddled out to the two islands in wooden canoes on Friday, looking for fish, said another militia Musa Ari, who gave a similar account. News of the attacks was slow to emerge with communication in the area difficult as Boko Haram has destroyed telecom masts in the region in attacks over the last few years. The Boko Haram jihadists first attacked Duguri island where they killed 12 fishermen and injured two others who later died, said fisherman Sallau Inuwa. "The attackers split into two groups. While the first attacked Duguri the second went to nearby Dabar Wanzam where they laid in wait for those who fled the attack in Duguri. They killed 17 in Dabar Wanzam," Inuwa told AFP. The attackers spared one fisherman in Duguri and loaded the 12 bodies of the men they killed in a canoe and ordered him to take them to Baga as a warning that no one should fish in the lake, said another fisherman Dauda Tukur. "They told the man they spared to inform the troops in Baga that they were waiting for them on the islands," he said. The military and Nigerian officials have not yet commented on the attacks. The attacks happened a week after military authorities lifted a two-year ban on fishing in the freshwater lake that straddles Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. Nigerian military banned fishing on the Nigerian side of the lake following accusations that Boko Haram was using proceeds from fishing to fund its armed campaign. The ban left thousands of displaced residents impoverished, forcing them to rely on food handouts from government and aid agencies. The lifting of the ban drew many fishermen back to the area. Although the military reclaimed Baga from Boko Haram in February 2015 allowing some residents to move back, jihadists continued to launch sporadic attacks from their hideouts on several islands dotting the lake, where dense vegetation provides cover against military attacks. In November 2014 Boko Haram killed 48 fishermen near Baga who were on their way to neighbouring Chad to buy fish, in one of the deadliest attacks against fishermen by the jihadists in the area.

Boko Haram kill 31 fishermen in Nigeria

Boko Haram gunmen killed eight members of a civilian militia force on Sunday, hiding in trees and opening fire as they waited for troops to go on a joint dawn offensive, their colleagues told AFP.

The members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) were waiting for soldiers at Kayamla village, in the Konduga area of Borno state, northeast Nigeria, when the attack happened.

&quot;We lost eight comrades in an ambush by Boko Haram gunmen at about 5:30 am (0430 GMT),&quot; said CJTF member Ibrahim Liman in the state capital Maiduguri, which is 10 kilometres (six miles) away.

&quot;The vigilantes had gone to Kaymala as an advance party that was to be joined later by troops to launch an attack on Boko Haram enclave.

&quot;Unknown to them, Boko Haram terrorists, who by all indications had prior knowledge of the offensive, ambushed them by climbing into the trees.

&quot;They opened fire on the team as soon as they pulled over.&quot;

Liman&#39;s account was supported by another militia member, Musa Ari, who helped to bury his fallen comrades.

&quot;We buried the last of the eight victims this evening. The bodies were recovered from Kayamla by soldiers,&quot; he added.

Konduga district is a known hotbed of Boko Haram activity, despite government and military claims that the jihadists are a spent force, having been forced out of their Sambisa Forest enclave in Borno state.

In May, four CJTF members hunting in the bush near a camp for those displaced by the Islamist insurgency had their throats slit on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

Two of their colleagues were also killed when two female suicide bombers detonated explosives in Konduga town, some 35 km from Maiduguri by road.

The attacks came just days after Boko Haram gunmen on motorbikes killed six farmers working on their land in Amrawa village, also on the outskirts of the state capital.

In April, eight loggers were killed and their bodies burnt near Kayamla village.

In a new video published on Saturday, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for its first raid inside Maiduguri in about 18 months, which left 11 people dead on Wednesday.

At least 20,000 have been killed since the insurgency began in 2009.

(AFP)

The members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) were waiting for soldiers at Kayamla village in Borno state when the attack happened

Boko Haram gunmen killed eight members of a civilian militia force on Sunday, hiding in trees and opening fire as they waited for troops to go on a joint dawn offensive, their colleagues told AFP. The members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) were waiting for soldiers at Kayamla village, in the Konduga area of Borno state, northeast Nigeria, when the attack happened. "We lost eight comrades in an ambush by Boko Haram gunmen at about 5:30 am (0430 GMT)," said CJTF member Ibrahim Liman in the state capital Maiduguri, which is 10 kilometres (six miles) away. "The vigilantes had gone to Kaymala as an advance party that was to be joined later by troops to launch an attack on Boko Haram enclave. "Unknown to them, Boko Haram terrorists, who by all indications had prior knowledge of the offensive, ambushed them by climbing into the trees. "They opened fire on the team as soon as they pulled over." Liman's account was supported by another militia member, Musa Ari, who helped to bury his fallen comrades. "We buried the last of the eight victims this evening. The bodies were recovered from Kayamla by soldiers," he added. Konduga district is a known hotbed of Boko Haram activity, despite government and military claims that the jihadists are a spent force, having been forced out of their Sambisa Forest enclave in Borno state. In May, four CJTF members hunting in the bush near a camp for those displaced by the Islamist insurgency had their throats slit on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two of their colleagues were also killed when two female suicide bombers detonated explosives in Konduga town, some 35 km from Maiduguri by road. The attacks came just days after Boko Haram gunmen on motorbikes killed six farmers working on their land in Amrawa village, also on the outskirts of the state capital. In April, eight loggers were killed and their bodies burnt near Kayamla village. In a new video published on Saturday, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for its first raid inside Maiduguri in about 18 months, which left 11 people dead on Wednesday. At least 20,000 have been killed since the insurgency began in 2009. (AFP)

Boko Haram kills eight in dawn ambush: Militia

Boko Haram late on Friday released a video claiming to show the Chibok schoolgirl who refused to be rescued as part of a recent swap deal with the Nigerian government.

In the three-minute video, a woman who claims to be Maida Yakubu, one of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014, is seen wearing a black veil and holding a gun.&nbsp;

Flanked by three other women clad in black, she proclaims her loyalty to Boko Haram, a jihadist group that has killed over 20,000 people since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009.

When asked by a man in the background why she doesn&#39;t want to go back home to her parents, she replies: &quot;the reason is that they live in the town of unbelief. We want them to accept Islam.&quot;

The woman then speaks in the local Chibok dialect for the rest of the video.&nbsp;

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<h5>Flanked by three other women clad in black, she proclaims her loyalty to Boko Haram, a jihadist group that has killed over 20,000 people since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009</h5>
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Last week, 82 schoolgirls who were kidnapped three years ago were released after negotiations between the terrorist group and the government.&nbsp;

Presidency spokesman Garba Shehu later disclosed that one girl had refused to leave.&nbsp;

She declined to be part of the release deal because she had married a Boko Haram fighter, Shehu said. &nbsp;

Analysts said it was likely others may have developed sympathies for their captors over time.

The Islamist militants seized 276 girls in April 2014, triggering global condemnation and drawing attention to the bloody insurgency.

Fifty-seven escaped in the immediate aftermath. Of the 219 who did not manage to flee, 106 have either been released or found, leaving 113 still missing.&nbsp;

Boko Haram released a second video on Friday claiming to show five commanders that the Nigerian government freed in exchange for the 82 Chibok girls.

In the video, a man who identifies himself as Abu Dardaa, or Money, says Boko Haram is back in Sambisa Forest and is preparing to bomb Nigeria&#39;s capital city of Abuja.

The threat comes as Nigeria opened another round of talks for the release of more kidnapped schoolgirls.

The Nigerian military said in December that it had ousted Boko Haram from their Sambisa Forest stronghold in northeastern Borno state.&nbsp;

While the jihadists have lost significant swathes of territory since Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in 2015, they are still capable of launching deadly attacks on soldiers and continue to unleash suicide bombers in cities and camps for internally displaced people in Nigeria&#39;s ravaged northeast.&nbsp;

(AFP)

In the three-minute video, a woman who claims to be Maida Yakubu, one of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014, is seen wearing a black veil and holding a gun

Boko Haram late on Friday released a video claiming to show the Chibok schoolgirl who refused to be rescued as part of a recent swap deal with the Nigerian government. In the three-minute video, a woman who claims to be Maida Yakubu, one of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014, is seen wearing a black veil and holding a gun. Flanked by three other women clad in black, she proclaims her loyalty to Boko Haram, a jihadist group that has killed over 20,000 people since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009. When asked by a man in the background why she doesn't want to go back home to her parents, she replies: "the reason is that they live in the town of unbelief. We want them to accept Islam." The woman then speaks in the local Chibok dialect for the rest of the video. Flanked by three other women clad in black, she proclaims her loyalty to Boko Haram, a jihadist group that has killed over 20,000 people since taking up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009 × Last week, 82 schoolgirls who were kidnapped three years ago were released after negotiations between the terrorist group and the government. Presidency spokesman Garba Shehu later disclosed that one girl had refused to leave. She declined to be part of the release deal because she had married a Boko Haram fighter, Shehu said. Analysts said it was likely others may have developed sympathies for their captors over time. The Islamist militants seized 276 girls in April 2014, triggering global condemnation and drawing attention to the bloody insurgency. Fifty-seven escaped in the immediate aftermath. Of the 219 who did not manage to flee, 106 have either been released or found, leaving 113 still missing. Boko Haram released a second video on Friday claiming to show five commanders that the Nigerian government freed in exchange for the 82 Chibok girls. In the video, a man who identifies himself as Abu Dardaa, or Money, says Boko Haram is back in Sambisa Forest and is preparing to bomb Nigeria's capital city of Abuja. The threat comes as Nigeria opened another round of talks for the release of more kidnapped schoolgirls. The Nigerian military said in December that it had ousted Boko Haram from their Sambisa Forest stronghold in northeastern Borno state. While the jihadists have lost significant swathes of territory since Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in 2015, they are still capable of launching deadly attacks on soldiers and continue to unleash suicide bombers in cities and camps for internally displaced people in Nigeria's ravaged northeast. (AFP)

Boko Haram releases video, says it is of Chibok girl who refused to be rescued

The Italian police seized a massive quantity of tramadol pills, a synthetic opioid-like drug, from India which was headed for Libya, according to media reports.

A significant portion of the drug, used as a painkiller, finds its&nbsp;way to the Islamic State terrorists who are active in Libya, according to sources.

It is used by the Islamic&nbsp;State terrorists to build greater resilience.&nbsp;

The pills, worth $75 million, were found packed in three containers at the port of Genoa and was labelled as blankets and shampoo.

The containers were set to be loaded on a freighter headed for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya, news agency PTI quoted a report in The Times.

&quot;ISIS is making a fortune from this traffic, giving it to its fighters to make them feel no pain,&quot; the British newspaper quoted an Italian investigator as saying.

Italian police said the consignment had come from India and would have been used for two purposes: to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress, the BBC reported.

Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group, is said to feed child soldiers dates stuffed with tramadol before sending them on missions.

ISIS is already known for feeding its fighters Captagon, an amphetamine that blocks hunger, fear and fatigue.

Italian investigators traced the tramadol shipment to an Indian pharmaceuticals company, which allegedly sold the pills for $250,000 to a Dubai-based importer, which then shipped them from India to Sri Lanka where they disappeared from the freighter&#39;s documents, the report said.

(PTI)

The drug, Tramadol, is used as a painkiller

The Italian police seized a massive quantity of tramadol pills, a synthetic opioid-like drug, from India which was headed for Libya, according to media reports. A significant portion of the drug, used as a painkiller, finds its way to the Islamic State terrorists who are active in Libya, according to sources. It is used by the Islamic State terrorists to build greater resilience. The pills, worth $75 million, were found packed in three containers at the port of Genoa and was labelled as blankets and shampoo. The containers were set to be loaded on a freighter headed for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya, news agency PTI quoted a report in The Times. "ISIS is making a fortune from this traffic, giving it to its fighters to make them feel no pain," the British newspaper quoted an Italian investigator as saying. Italian police said the consignment had come from India and would have been used for two purposes: to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress, the BBC reported. Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group, is said to feed child soldiers dates stuffed with tramadol before sending them on missions. ISIS is already known for feeding its fighters Captagon, an amphetamine that blocks hunger, fear and fatigue. Italian investigators traced the tramadol shipment to an Indian pharmaceuticals company, which allegedly sold the pills for $250,000 to a Dubai-based importer, which then shipped them from India to Sri Lanka where they disappeared from the freighter's documents, the report said. (PTI)

Painkillers worth $75 million from India bound for Libya seized by Italian police

A schoolgirl who was among more than 200 kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 refused to be part of a release deal because she is now married to a militant fighter, Nigeria&#39;s government said Tuesday.

The disclosure underlines the complex psychological effects of a lengthy captivity, and gives an indication of the work required to rehabilitate and reintegrate those released.

Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war, seizing thousands of women and young girls as part of its eight-year quest to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

Men and boys have also been forcibly recruited to fight in its insurgency, which since 2009 has killed at least 20,000 in Nigeria alone.

Presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said the jihadists had initially agreed to release 83 of the teenagers who were abducted from their school in the town of Chibok in April 2014.

But he told the local Channels television station: &quot;One said, &#39;No, I have a husband. I&#39;m happy where I am&#39;. And then 82 came back.&quot;

The 82 were released on Saturday following months of talks and the exchange of a number of suspected militants held in government custody.

Twenty-one of their classmates were freed in October last year; three had previously been found or escaped. Talks are understood to have started to free all or some of the remaining 113.

Complex situation&nbsp;

Testimony from former hostages in the brutal conflict has revealed that Boko Haram forced many women and young girls into marriage, and that rape and sexual violence were commonplace.

Some were forced to work as domestic slaves for extremist fighters and even deployed to the front line carrying ammunition during attacks.&nbsp;

Elizabeth Pearson, a Boko Haram specialist who studies women and conflict, said the case of the Chibok girl who refused to leave was &quot;likely to be quite prevalent&quot;.

&quot;From what we know of other young women who&#39;ve returned, the relationships with their captors is very complex and at times quite ambiguous,&quot; she told AFP in an email exchange.

&quot;We assume because they are abducted they are therefore likely to resist their captors. In fact they have to develop relationships of some sort in order to survive.&quot;

Genuine relationships will emerge, as not all fighters behave brutally to the women in the camps, particularly if children are involved, she added.

&quot;It&#39;s a much more complex situation than the abducted-rescued-victim narrative we&#39;ve seen at times,&quot; she said.

There have been repeated calls for more to be done to support those released, particularly with many women treated as social outcasts because of their time with the rebels.

&nbsp;Identities checked&nbsp;

Shehu said the government was working to verify the identities of the 82 released so they can be reunited with their families as soon as possible.

A list of the girls&#39; names was published on Sunday evening and photographs of them have been sent to Chibok and the surrounding area for cross-checking.

&quot;When we had the first 21, because of similarities in names, more than two, three sets of parents came to Abuja. So, we don&#39;t want to create that confusion,&quot; he said.

&quot;When they get the pictures, they see them and verify, then they come on board to Abuja to see their daughters.&quot;

Aisha Yesufu, coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls pressure group, told AFP: &quot;We have to reach out to the parents and ensure that&lrm; we match the parents and the daughters.

&quot;We are still working on it.&quot;

Nigeria&#39;s government has come under fire for the length of time it has taken to reunite the former hostages with their families.

In December, families who are seen as key to the girls&#39; recovery complained they were blocked from celebrating Christmas together.

Human Rights Watch has accused the government of failing to respect the girls&#39; privacy by publishing their names and for parading them at a photo-call.

Amnesty International said on Saturday that holding the released girls in lengthy detention and for security screening &quot;can only add to their suffering and plight&quot;.

Shehu said he hoped the verification process would be concluded soon and pledged: &quot;The government will not stop any parents from immediately establishing contacts with their daughters.&quot;

(AFP)

Testimony from former hostages in the brutal conflict has revealed that Boko Haram forced many women and young girls into marriage, and that rape and sexual violence were commonplace.

A schoolgirl who was among more than 200 kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 refused to be part of a release deal because she is now married to a militant fighter, Nigeria's government said Tuesday. The disclosure underlines the complex psychological effects of a lengthy captivity, and gives an indication of the work required to rehabilitate and reintegrate those released. Boko Haram has used kidnapping as a weapon of war, seizing thousands of women and young girls as part of its eight-year quest to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. Men and boys have also been forcibly recruited to fight in its insurgency, which since 2009 has killed at least 20,000 in Nigeria alone. Presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said the jihadists had initially agreed to release 83 of the teenagers who were abducted from their school in the town of Chibok in April 2014. But he told the local Channels television station: "One said, 'No, I have a husband. I'm happy where I am'. And then 82 came back." The 82 were released on Saturday following months of talks and the exchange of a number of suspected militants held in government custody. Twenty-one of their classmates were freed in October last year; three had previously been found or escaped. Talks are understood to have started to free all or some of the remaining 113. Complex situation Testimony from former hostages in the brutal conflict has revealed that Boko Haram forced many women and young girls into marriage, and that rape and sexual violence were commonplace. Some were forced to work as domestic slaves for extremist fighters and even deployed to the front line carrying ammunition during attacks. Elizabeth Pearson, a Boko Haram specialist who studies women and conflict, said the case of the Chibok girl who refused to leave was "likely to be quite prevalent". "From what we know of other young women who've returned, the relationships with their captors is very complex and at times quite ambiguous," she told AFP in an email exchange. "We assume because they are abducted they are therefore likely to resist their captors. In fact they have to develop relationships of some sort in order to survive." Genuine relationships will emerge, as not all fighters behave brutally to the women in the camps, particularly if children are involved, she added. "It's a much more complex situation than the abducted-rescued-victim narrative we've seen at times," she said. There have been repeated calls for more to be done to support those released, particularly with many women treated as social outcasts because of their time with the rebels. Identities checked Shehu said the government was working to verify the identities of the 82 released so they can be reunited with their families as soon as possible. A list of the girls' names was published on Sunday evening and photographs of them have been sent to Chibok and the surrounding area for cross-checking. "When we had the first 21, because of similarities in names, more than two, three sets of parents came to Abuja. So, we don't want to create that confusion," he said. "When they get the pictures, they see them and verify, then they come on board to Abuja to see their daughters." Aisha Yesufu, coordinator of the #BringBackOurGirls pressure group, told AFP: "We have to reach out to the parents and ensure that‎ we match the parents and the daughters. "We are still working on it." Nigeria's government has come under fire for the length of time it has taken to reunite the former hostages with their families. In December, families who are seen as key to the girls' recovery complained they were blocked from celebrating Christmas together. Human Rights Watch has accused the government of failing to respect the girls' privacy by publishing their names and for parading them at a photo-call. Amnesty International said on Saturday that holding the released girls in lengthy detention and for security screening "can only add to their suffering and plight". Shehu said he hoped the verification process would be concluded soon and pledged: "The government will not stop any parents from immediately establishing contacts with their daughters." (AFP)

Nigeria: Chibok girl refused to be part of release deal

Nigeria on Saturday said 82 schoolgirls who were among more than 200 kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamists more than three years ago were released as part of a prisoner swap.

&quot;Today 82 more Chibok girls were released... in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities,&quot; the presidency said on Twitter, adding the students were expected in Abuja on Sunday.

Boko Haram fighters stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in the remote town of&nbsp;Chibok&nbsp;on the evening of April 14, 2014 and kidnapped 276 girls.

Fifty-seven managed to escape in the hours that followed but the remaining 219 were held by the group.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed in a video message that they had converted to Islam.

The audacious kidnapping brought the insurgency to world attention, triggering global outrage that galvanised support from the former US first lady Michelle Obama and Hollywood stars.

Twenty-one girls were released in October last year after negotiations between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government.

Three others were also found.

At the time of the release of the 21, President Muhammadu Buhari&#39;s spokesman Garba Shehu said the government was hoping to secure the release of 83 others being held by a different Boko Haram faction.

Last month he said in a radio interview that there were ongoing negotiations involving &quot;some foreign entities&quot; to release the 195 girls believed still held.

He told BBC Hausa the ICRC and Swiss government &quot;have not withdrawn their support in the negotiations&quot;.

Other countries were also involved, he added, without elaborating.

Timeline

Following is a timeline of events since the Boko Haram jihadist group abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in the remote town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria in 2014.

- Snatched from school

On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram gunmen seize 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state.

The girls are forced from their dormitories onto trucks and driven into the bush. Fifty-seven girls manage to flee.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claims responsibility in a video released on May 5, and vows to sell the girls as slave brides.

A week later, a second video shows about 100 of the missing girls. Boko Haram says they have converted to Islam and will not be released unless militant fighters held in custody are freed.

- Global response

An international media campaign is launched, backed by US First Lady Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. The hashtag #BringBackOurGirls fires up a social media storm.&nbsp;

On May 17, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria vow to fight Boko Haram together, in what Cameroon President Paul Biya terms a &quot;declaration of war&quot;.&nbsp;

The UN Security Council says the kidnappings &quot;may amount to crimes against humanity&quot;, as Britain, China, France, Israel and the US offer help.&nbsp;

US military specialists deploy to neighbouring Chad but later move elsewhere after Nigeria stops requesting their services.

On May 26, Nigeria&#39;s Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh says the girls have been located but warns a rescue operation would put their lives at risk.

- One year on

On April 14, 2015, Nigeria&#39;s president-elect Muhammadu Buhari warns he &quot;cannot promise that we can find&quot; the girls, as vigils are held in many countries to mark their first year in captivity.

Amnesty International says the girls may have been separated into three or four groups and are being held in camps, some of which might be in Cameroon or Chad.

Buhari says in late December he is willing to negotiate with any &quot;credible&quot; Boko Haram leadership, a week after claiming the country has &quot;technically&quot; won the war against Boko Haram.

-Other victims freed

Throughout 2015, the Nigerian military announces the rescue of hundreds of people, most of them women and children, who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram.

But the missing schoolgirls are not among them, despite several unconfirmed sightings.

Suicide attacks using women and young girls increase against &quot;soft&quot; civilian targets such as mosques, markets and bus stations, fuelling fears that Boko Haram might be using its captives as human bombs.

In March 2016, it emerges that Boko Haram also seized 500 women and children from the north east town of Damasak in Borno state just months after the Chibok abduction. The kidnapping was denied at the time.

- &#39;Proof of life&#39;&nbsp;

On the eve of the abduction&#39;s second anniversary, US news channel CNN reports that Boko Haram has sent a &quot;proof of life&quot; video which shows 15 of the girls -- the first concrete indication that at least some are still alive.

On May 18, 2016 the Nigerian army confirms the first of the schoolgirls has been found.&nbsp;

The 19-year-old, who later meets President Buhari, was discovered with a four-month-old baby and a man she described as her husband near Boko Haram&#39;s Sambisa Forest enclave.

- Prisoner exchange&nbsp;

On October 13, 2016, Nigerian officials announce the release of 21 of the girls following talks between the government and Boko Haram brokered by Switzerland and the International Red Cross.&nbsp;

Local sources say four jihadist prisoners were freed as part of the deal to secure the girls&#39; release.

The Nigerian government raises the prospect that more releases could follow, with a senior official in the president&#39;s office saying that &quot;the negotiations will continue&quot;. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

- &#39;At least 80&#39; more released&nbsp;

At least 80 more girls have been released, security sources, a senior minister and Enoch Mark, the father of two of the girls, tell AFP on Saturday.

(AFP)

Boko Haram fighters had stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in the remote town of?Chibok?on the evening of April 14, 2014 and kidnapped 276 girls.

Nigeria on Saturday said 82 schoolgirls who were among more than 200 kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamists more than three years ago were released as part of a prisoner swap. "Today 82 more Chibok girls were released... in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities," the presidency said on Twitter, adding the students were expected in Abuja on Sunday. Boko Haram fighters stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in the remote town of Chibok on the evening of April 14, 2014 and kidnapped 276 girls. Fifty-seven managed to escape in the hours that followed but the remaining 219 were held by the group. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed in a video message that they had converted to Islam. The audacious kidnapping brought the insurgency to world attention, triggering global outrage that galvanised support from the former US first lady Michelle Obama and Hollywood stars. Twenty-one girls were released in October last year after negotiations between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government. Three others were also found. At the time of the release of the 21, President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesman Garba Shehu said the government was hoping to secure the release of 83 others being held by a different Boko Haram faction. Last month he said in a radio interview that there were ongoing negotiations involving "some foreign entities" to release the 195 girls believed still held. He told BBC Hausa the ICRC and Swiss government "have not withdrawn their support in the negotiations". Other countries were also involved, he added, without elaborating. Timeline Following is a timeline of events since the Boko Haram jihadist group abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in the remote town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria in 2014. - Snatched from school On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram gunmen seize 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state. The girls are forced from their dormitories onto trucks and driven into the bush. Fifty-seven girls manage to flee. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claims responsibility in a video released on May 5, and vows to sell the girls as slave brides. A week later, a second video shows about 100 of the missing girls. Boko Haram says they have converted to Islam and will not be released unless militant fighters held in custody are freed. - Global response An international media campaign is launched, backed by US First Lady Michelle Obama and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. The hashtag #BringBackOurGirls fires up a social media storm. On May 17, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria vow to fight Boko Haram together, in what Cameroon President Paul Biya terms a "declaration of war". The UN Security Council says the kidnappings "may amount to crimes against humanity", as Britain, China, France, Israel and the US offer help. US military specialists deploy to neighbouring Chad but later move elsewhere after Nigeria stops requesting their services. On May 26, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh says the girls have been located but warns a rescue operation would put their lives at risk. - One year on On April 14, 2015, Nigeria's president-elect Muhammadu Buhari warns he "cannot promise that we can find" the girls, as vigils are held in many countries to mark their first year in captivity. Amnesty International says the girls may have been separated into three or four groups and are being held in camps, some of which might be in Cameroon or Chad. Buhari says in late December he is willing to negotiate with any "credible" Boko Haram leadership, a week after claiming the country has "technically" won the war against Boko Haram. -Other victims freed Throughout 2015, the Nigerian military announces the rescue of hundreds of people, most of them women and children, who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram. But the missing schoolgirls are not among them, despite several unconfirmed sightings. Suicide attacks using women and young girls increase against "soft" civilian targets such as mosques, markets and bus stations, fuelling fears that Boko Haram might be using its captives as human bombs. In March 2016, it emerges that Boko Haram also seized 500 women and children from the north east town of Damasak in Borno state just months after the Chibok abduction. The kidnapping was denied at the time. - 'Proof of life' On the eve of the abduction's second anniversary, US news channel CNN reports that Boko Haram has sent a "proof of life" video which shows 15 of the girls -- the first concrete indication that at least some are still alive. On May 18, 2016 the Nigerian army confirms the first of the schoolgirls has been found. The 19-year-old, who later meets President Buhari, was discovered with a four-month-old baby and a man she described as her husband near Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest enclave. - Prisoner exchange On October 13, 2016, Nigerian officials announce the release of 21 of the girls following talks between the government and Boko Haram brokered by Switzerland and the International Red Cross. Local sources say four jihadist prisoners were freed as part of the deal to secure the girls' release. The Nigerian government raises the prospect that more releases could follow, with a senior official in the president's office saying that "the negotiations will continue". - 'At least 80' more released At least 80 more girls have been released, security sources, a senior minister and Enoch Mark, the father of two of the girls, tell AFP on Saturday. (AFP)

Nigeria: Boko Haram releases 82 Chibok girls in prisoner swap

Suspected Boko Haram jihadists killed five Nigerian soldiers and injured five others in a raid on a military post in the violence-torn northeast, locals and a military officer said Tuesday.

&quot;Our men were outgunned and outnumbered,&quot; said a military officer in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the incident.

Scores of fighters loyal to the Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi late Monday stormed a checkpoint near Sabon Garin Kimba village about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram.

&quot;We lost five men in the fight. Five more were injured,&quot; the military officer said.

The Islamic State group last year appointed Al-Barnawi as head of Boko Haram, replacing long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.&nbsp;

Mustapha Karimbe, a civilian assisting the military, said the jihadists took military vehicles and burned three armoured cars along with makeshift sheds at the checkpoint.

&quot;The terrorists attacked the soldiers... and remained in the village for three hours before they withdrew,&quot; said Karimbe.

This was the second attack on the same military checkpoint in under a month.

Late last month, jihadists dressed in Nigerian military uniforms attacked the checkpoint and forced soldiers to withdraw before looting food and medical supplies from the village.&nbsp;

Boko Haram has in recent weeks intensified attacks on military targets in the northeast.

The insurgency began in northeast Nigeria and has spread to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, claiming more than 20,000 lives and displacing 2.6 million people. &nbsp;

(AFP)

Scores of fighters loyal to the Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi stormed a checkpoint near Sabon Garin Kimba village

Suspected Boko Haram jihadists killed five Nigerian soldiers and injured five others in a raid on a military post in the violence-torn northeast, locals and a military officer said Tuesday. "Our men were outgunned and outnumbered," said a military officer in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the incident. Scores of fighters loyal to the Boko Haram faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi late Monday stormed a checkpoint near Sabon Garin Kimba village about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram. "We lost five men in the fight. Five more were injured," the military officer said. The Islamic State group last year appointed Al-Barnawi as head of Boko Haram, replacing long-time leader Abubakar Shekau. Mustapha Karimbe, a civilian assisting the military, said the jihadists took military vehicles and burned three armoured cars along with makeshift sheds at the checkpoint. "The terrorists attacked the soldiers... and remained in the village for three hours before they withdrew," said Karimbe. This was the second attack on the same military checkpoint in under a month. Late last month, jihadists dressed in Nigerian military uniforms attacked the checkpoint and forced soldiers to withdraw before looting food and medical supplies from the village. Boko Haram has in recent weeks intensified attacks on military targets in the northeast. The insurgency began in northeast Nigeria and has spread to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, claiming more than 20,000 lives and displacing 2.6 million people. (AFP)

Nigeria: 5 soldiers killed in attack by suspected Boko Haram militants

Boko Haram Islamists have abducted 22 girls and women in two separate raids in northeast Nigeria, residents and vigilantes told AFP Friday.

In the first attack on Thursday, the jihadists raided the village of Pulka near border with Cameroon where they kidnapped 18 girls.

&quot;Boko Haram fighters from Mamman Nur camp arrived in pickup vans around 6.00 am and seized 14 young girls aged 17 and below while residents fled into the bush,&quot; a Pulka community leader told AFP by phone.

&quot;They picked four other girls who were fleeing the raid they came across in the bush outside the village,&quot; said the community leader who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

According to the official, the attackers were loyal to the faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.

Barnawi was appointed last year by the Islamic State group to replace leader Abubakar Shekau, who had pledged allegiance to the Middle East jihadist group in 2015.

Another resident confirmed the raid and said the girls were likely to end up as brides for the fighters.

&quot;They didn&#39;t harm anyone during the raid and they made no attempt to shoot people running away from the village,&quot; said the resident.

In the second incident outside the village of Dumba, close to Lake Chad, the jihadists killed a herdsman who had tried to escape after refusing to pay protection money, said Adamu Ahmed, a member of an anti-Boko Haram militia.

&quot;When the Boko Haram gunmen came for the money they realised he had left with everything and they decided to go after him on their motorcycles,&quot; Ahmed said.

&quot;They caught up with him near Dumba where they slaughtered him and shot dead 50 of his cattle.

&quot;They took four women from the man`s family and the rest of the herd,&quot; he said.

The promotion of Barnawi had revealed divisions in the group, as Shekau had been criticised for mass killings and suicide attacks against civilians.

Barnawi and his right-hand man Mamman Nur, who is seen as the real leader, had promised residents in areas under their control would not be harmed as long as they did not cooperate with Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram.

But in recent weeks the Islamist fighters have intensified raids in areas near Lake Chad, stealing food from residents.

They have also killed several civilians they accused of cooperating with the military.

(AFP)

In the first attack on Thursday, the jihadists raided the village of Pulka near border with Cameroon where they kidnapped 18 girls

Boko Haram Islamists have abducted 22 girls and women in two separate raids in northeast Nigeria, residents and vigilantes told AFP Friday. In the first attack on Thursday, the jihadists raided the village of Pulka near border with Cameroon where they kidnapped 18 girls. "Boko Haram fighters from Mamman Nur camp arrived in pickup vans around 6.00 am and seized 14 young girls aged 17 and below while residents fled into the bush," a Pulka community leader told AFP by phone. "They picked four other girls who were fleeing the raid they came across in the bush outside the village," said the community leader who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. According to the official, the attackers were loyal to the faction headed by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf. Barnawi was appointed last year by the Islamic State group to replace leader Abubakar Shekau, who had pledged allegiance to the Middle East jihadist group in 2015. Another resident confirmed the raid and said the girls were likely to end up as brides for the fighters. "They didn't harm anyone during the raid and they made no attempt to shoot people running away from the village," said the resident. In the second incident outside the village of Dumba, close to Lake Chad, the jihadists killed a herdsman who had tried to escape after refusing to pay protection money, said Adamu Ahmed, a member of an anti-Boko Haram militia. "When the Boko Haram gunmen came for the money they realised he had left with everything and they decided to go after him on their motorcycles," Ahmed said. "They caught up with him near Dumba where they slaughtered him and shot dead 50 of his cattle. "They took four women from the man`s family and the rest of the herd," he said. The promotion of Barnawi had revealed divisions in the group, as Shekau had been criticised for mass killings and suicide attacks against civilians. Barnawi and his right-hand man Mamman Nur, who is seen as the real leader, had promised residents in areas under their control would not be harmed as long as they did not cooperate with Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram. But in recent weeks the Islamist fighters have intensified raids in areas near Lake Chad, stealing food from residents. They have also killed several civilians they accused of cooperating with the military. (AFP)

Nigeria: Boko Haram kidnap 22 girls and women in two separate raids

A UN report says that more than 120,000 Nigerians likely will suffer &quot;catastrophic&quot; famine-like conditions caused by Boko Haram&#39;s Islamic uprising, among 11 million confronting severe food shortages this year. 
 
The report from the Food and Agriculture Organization predicts Africa&#39;s biggest humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria likely will deteriorate between June and August. 
 
It says &quot;trends show that food security and nutrition are worsening&quot; especially in Borno state, the birthplace of Boko Haram. 
 
It says Borno is expected to hold 65 percent of an estimated 121,000 people living in famine-like conditions. 
 
UN agencies have reported that children already are dying in that region and more than 500,000 face death if they don&#39;t get help. 
 
Corruption compounds the crisis with Nigeria investigating reports of stolen food aid.

(PTI)

About 121,000 people will face the brunt of the consequences, especially in Nigeria's Borno state, the United Nations said

A UN report says that more than 120,000 Nigerians likely will suffer "catastrophic" famine-like conditions caused by Boko Haram's Islamic uprising, among 11 million confronting severe food shortages this year. The report from the Food and Agriculture Organization predicts Africa's biggest humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria likely will deteriorate between June and August. It says "trends show that food security and nutrition are worsening" especially in Borno state, the birthplace of Boko Haram. It says Borno is expected to hold 65 percent of an estimated 121,000 people living in famine-like conditions. UN agencies have reported that children already are dying in that region and more than 500,000 face death if they don't get help. Corruption compounds the crisis with Nigeria investigating reports of stolen food aid. (PTI)

Boko Haram uprising likely to cause 'catastrophic' famine-like conditions

Four Cameroonian soldiers, including a general who was coordinating the fight against Nigerian Boko Haram Islamists, were killed Sunday in a helicopter crash, sources told AFP.

&quot;We lost four men, including the general (Jacob Kodji)&quot; and a colonel, a senior military official who is involved in the fight against Boko Haram told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The men were killed when the Cameroonian military helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Bogo region in the far north, said the official, without giving details of the cause of the accident.

&quot;They were on a mission in Waza Park as part of an operation to battle Boko Haram,&quot; he said.

A local government official confirmed the deaths.

General Jacob Kodji was the leader of Emergence 4, the name given to one of the operations launched by Cameroon against Boko Haram.

As the fight against the Nigerian jihadists raged, Kodji was prompted in August 2015 to general by President Paul Biya. He is the first Cameroonian general to die in the battle against Boko Haram.

Boko Haram&#39;s brutal insurgency, launched in northern Nigeria in 2009, has spread across the border to Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

At least 20,000 people have been killed and some 2.6 million displaced in the violence.

Since Nigeria announced a key victory against Boko Haram jihadists in December, claiming the group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest bastion, its ally Cameroon had intensified operations along its northern border.

(AFP)

The soldiers were killed when the military helicopter crashed in Bogo region during an operation against the Boko Haram

Four Cameroonian soldiers, including a general who was coordinating the fight against Nigerian Boko Haram Islamists, were killed Sunday in a helicopter crash, sources told AFP. "We lost four men, including the general (Jacob Kodji)" and a colonel, a senior military official who is involved in the fight against Boko Haram told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The men were killed when the Cameroonian military helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Bogo region in the far north, said the official, without giving details of the cause of the accident. "They were on a mission in Waza Park as part of an operation to battle Boko Haram," he said. A local government official confirmed the deaths. General Jacob Kodji was the leader of Emergence 4, the name given to one of the operations launched by Cameroon against Boko Haram. As the fight against the Nigerian jihadists raged, Kodji was prompted in August 2015 to general by President Paul Biya. He is the first Cameroonian general to die in the battle against Boko Haram. Boko Haram's brutal insurgency, launched in northern Nigeria in 2009, has spread across the border to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. At least 20,000 people have been killed and some 2.6 million displaced in the violence. Since Nigeria announced a key victory against Boko Haram jihadists in December, claiming the group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest bastion, its ally Cameroon had intensified operations along its northern border. (AFP)

Four soldiers killed in Cameroon helicopter crash

Around 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed when the jihadists attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria, two days after the air force accidentally killed dozens of people there, local and military officials said.

On Tuesday, the air force said it had bombed Rann in Borno state, epicentre of Boko Haram&#39;&#39;s seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast.

Boko Haram fighters then attacked Rann - home to thousands of people displaced by the jihadists&#39; insurgency - using two jeeps on Thursday night, residents said.

&quot;We battled them for almost 30 minutes,&quot; Lieutenant Colonel Igwe Omoke, commander of the 3rd battalion based in Rann, told Reuters on Friday during a visit organized by the army.

&quot;We suddenly saw residents running towards the battalion headquarters and we quickly mobilised troops,&quot; he said.

A Reuters reporter saw six dead Boko Haram fighters lying in front of the army base in Rann where many ramshackle huts had been destroyed by the air strike. The attackers had come from nearby Cameroon, less than ten kilometres away, officers said.

The air strike killed more than 200 people, more than the up to 170 reported dead by aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Friday, a local official said.

&quot;People have suffered enough. We buried more than 200 people,&quot; said Babagana Malarima, head of the local government in Rann. &quot;The military should compensate our people.&quot;

Other residents asked by Reuters put the death toll at around 180 or fewer. The army has refused to say how many were killed.

The Boko Haram insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes.

The Nigerian army, backed up by neighbours, have retaken most areas held by the group. But the jihadists still operate in the area of Rann, slipping over the porous Cameroon border after attacks.

The militant group has stepped up attacks and suicide bombings in the past few weeks as the end of the rainy season facilitates movement in the bush.

The group split in two last year, with one faction led by Abubakar Shekau from the Sambisa forest and the other, allied to Islamic State and led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, based in the Lake Chad region.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

On Tuesday, the air force said it had bombed Rann in Borno state, epicentre of Boko Haram's efforts to carve out an Islamic caliphate

Around 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed when the jihadists attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria, two days after the air force accidentally killed dozens of people there, local and military officials said. On Tuesday, the air force said it had bombed Rann in Borno state, epicentre of Boko Haram''s seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast. Boko Haram fighters then attacked Rann - home to thousands of people displaced by the jihadists' insurgency - using two jeeps on Thursday night, residents said. "We battled them for almost 30 minutes," Lieutenant Colonel Igwe Omoke, commander of the 3rd battalion based in Rann, told Reuters on Friday during a visit organized by the army. "We suddenly saw residents running towards the battalion headquarters and we quickly mobilised troops," he said. A Reuters reporter saw six dead Boko Haram fighters lying in front of the army base in Rann where many ramshackle huts had been destroyed by the air strike. The attackers had come from nearby Cameroon, less than ten kilometres away, officers said. The air strike killed more than 200 people, more than the up to 170 reported dead by aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Friday, a local official said. "People have suffered enough. We buried more than 200 people," said Babagana Malarima, head of the local government in Rann. "The military should compensate our people." Other residents asked by Reuters put the death toll at around 180 or fewer. The army has refused to say how many were killed. The Boko Haram insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes. The Nigerian army, backed up by neighbours, have retaken most areas held by the group. But the jihadists still operate in the area of Rann, slipping over the porous Cameroon border after attacks. The militant group has stepped up attacks and suicide bombings in the past few weeks as the end of the rainy season facilitates movement in the bush. The group split in two last year, with one faction led by Abubakar Shekau from the Sambisa forest and the other, allied to Islamic State and led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, based in the Lake Chad region. (Reuters)

Nigeria: 15 Boko Haram fighters killed in Borno state

At least 76 people were killed in Tuesday&#39;s accidental Nigerian Air Force strike on a refugee camp and more than 100 were wounded, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC) said on Wednesday.

The air force has said an unknown number of civilians were killed and wounded in the mistaken strike in Rann, Borno state. The state has been the epicentre of Boko Haram&#39;s seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast.

The air force has said civilians were accidentally killed and wounded in the attack, which was aimed at the jihadist group, but neither it nor the government has provided an official figure for the number of casualties. Aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said 52 were killed and 120 were wounded.

ICRC said six Nigeria Red Cross members were killed and 13 wounded. &quot;In addition to aid staff, it is estimated that 70 people have been killed and more than a hundred wounded,&quot; it said in a statement.

Lai Mohammed, the information minister, said &quot;the accidental bombing is not a true reflection of the level of professionalism&quot; he had witnessed in the air force.

The strike followed a military offensive against Boko Haram in the last few weeks.

The group&#39;s insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes, many of whom have moved to camps for internally displaced people.

(Reuters)

The air force has said an unknown number of civilians were killed and wounded in the attack aimed at Boko Haram jihadists

At least 76 people were killed in Tuesday's accidental Nigerian Air Force strike on a refugee camp and more than 100 were wounded, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC) said on Wednesday. The air force has said an unknown number of civilians were killed and wounded in the mistaken strike in Rann, Borno state. The state has been the epicentre of Boko Haram's seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast. The air force has said civilians were accidentally killed and wounded in the attack, which was aimed at the jihadist group, but neither it nor the government has provided an official figure for the number of casualties. Aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said 52 were killed and 120 were wounded. ICRC said six Nigeria Red Cross members were killed and 13 wounded. "In addition to aid staff, it is estimated that 70 people have been killed and more than a hundred wounded," it said in a statement. Lai Mohammed, the information minister, said "the accidental bombing is not a true reflection of the level of professionalism" he had witnessed in the air force. The strike followed a military offensive against Boko Haram in the last few weeks. The group's insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes, many of whom have moved to camps for internally displaced people. (Reuters)

At least 76 killed in Nigerian Air Force's botched-up strike on refugee camp

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday claimed the military had routed Boko Haram in a key northeastern stronghold, a year after saying the Islamist militants had been &quot;technically&quot; defeated.

A campaign lasting for months in the 1,300 square-kilometre (500 square-mile) forest in northeastern Borno state led to the &quot;final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest&quot; on Thursday, Buhari said in a statement.

The government in Abuja and the military have frequently claimed victories against the Islamic State group affiliate but access to the epicentre of the conflict in Borno state is strictly controlled.&nbsp;

That has made independent verification of official statements about victories virtually impossible. Attacks have meanwhile continued, making claims of defeating Boko Haram questionable despite undoubted progress in pushing back the group.

&quot;The terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice,&quot; Buhari said.

The announcement came after Nigeria launched a barrage of land and air assaults in Borno state at the heart of the insurgency that has spread to three neighbouring countries -- Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

While the counter-insurgency has clawed back some territory, Boko Haram has responded by stepping up guerrilla tactics, ambushing troops when it can and terrorising civilians when it cannot.

Buhari&#39;s statement made no mention of the whereabouts of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram faction based in the forest.

Boko Haram, which last year pledged allegiance to IS, has been in the grips of a power struggle since late last year.

Shekau led Boko Haram for several years, until the IS command said in August that he had been replaced as leader by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the 22-year-old son of the group&#39;s founder Mohammed Yusuf.

Shekau says he is still in charge, however, as rival factions vie for control.

Chibok girls still missing&nbsp;

On Wednesday, a military commander said Nigerian troops had rescued 1,880 civilians from a Boko Haram redoubt in the restive northeast over the past week and arrested hundreds of insurgents.

Buhari also said Saturday that &quot;further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity&quot;, referring to more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April 2014. To date only a few of them have been freed.

Boko Haram seeks to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

The army&#39;s claim of recapturing Sambisa Forest brought a rare glimmer of hope for millions of people caught up in the devastating conflict.

But Buhari has been keen to announce any positive news, with his government increasingly under fire for its handling of the economy, which is officially in recession.&nbsp;

The humanitarian fallout from the conflict is also huge and aid agencies say it is too big for the country to handle on its own, heaping pressure on already overstretched resources.&nbsp;

Buhari has previously claimed that Boko Haram had already been &quot;technically defeated&quot;.&nbsp;

His government has however struggled to stop attacks on soft targets such as markets, including the use of women and child suicide bombers.

At least 20,000 people have been killed since the insurgency erupted in 2009. The fighting has also displaced some 2.6 million people, sparking a humanitarian crisis in the region.

Africa&#39;s largest crisis&#39;&nbsp;

The United Nations said earlier this month a billion dollars are needed to help victims of Boko Haram and called the conflict &quot;the largest crisis in Africa.&quot;

It estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017, particularly in Borno state, where villagers under siege have typically been forced to abandon their crops.&nbsp;

&quot;A projected 5.1 million people will face serious food shortages as the conflict and risk of unexploded improvised devices prevented farmers planting for a third year in a row, causing a major food crisis,&quot; the UN said on December 2.

People freed from Boko Haram&#39;s grip by the army have generally been taken to camps where basic supplies are also scarce.

The Nigerian presidency has since accused aid groups of exaggerating the food crisis. 
 
(AFP)

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the terrorists were on the run and 'no longer had a place to hide'

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday claimed the military had routed Boko Haram in a key northeastern stronghold, a year after saying the Islamist militants had been "technically" defeated. A campaign lasting for months in the 1,300 square-kilometre (500 square-mile) forest in northeastern Borno state led to the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest" on Thursday, Buhari said in a statement. The government in Abuja and the military have frequently claimed victories against the Islamic State group affiliate but access to the epicentre of the conflict in Borno state is strictly controlled. That has made independent verification of official statements about victories virtually impossible. Attacks have meanwhile continued, making claims of defeating Boko Haram questionable despite undoubted progress in pushing back the group. "The terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice," Buhari said. The announcement came after Nigeria launched a barrage of land and air assaults in Borno state at the heart of the insurgency that has spread to three neighbouring countries -- Chad, Cameroon and Niger. While the counter-insurgency has clawed back some territory, Boko Haram has responded by stepping up guerrilla tactics, ambushing troops when it can and terrorising civilians when it cannot. Buhari's statement made no mention of the whereabouts of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram faction based in the forest. Boko Haram, which last year pledged allegiance to IS, has been in the grips of a power struggle since late last year. Shekau led Boko Haram for several years, until the IS command said in August that he had been replaced as leader by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the 22-year-old son of the group's founder Mohammed Yusuf. Shekau says he is still in charge, however, as rival factions vie for control. Chibok girls still missing On Wednesday, a military commander said Nigerian troops had rescued 1,880 civilians from a Boko Haram redoubt in the restive northeast over the past week and arrested hundreds of insurgents. Buhari also said Saturday that "further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity", referring to more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April 2014. To date only a few of them have been freed. Boko Haram seeks to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. The army's claim of recapturing Sambisa Forest brought a rare glimmer of hope for millions of people caught up in the devastating conflict. But Buhari has been keen to announce any positive news, with his government increasingly under fire for its handling of the economy, which is officially in recession. The humanitarian fallout from the conflict is also huge and aid agencies say it is too big for the country to handle on its own, heaping pressure on already overstretched resources. Buhari has previously claimed that Boko Haram had already been "technically defeated". His government has however struggled to stop attacks on soft targets such as markets, including the use of women and child suicide bombers. At least 20,000 people have been killed since the insurgency erupted in 2009. The fighting has also displaced some 2.6 million people, sparking a humanitarian crisis in the region. Africa's largest crisis' The United Nations said earlier this month a billion dollars are needed to help victims of Boko Haram and called the conflict "the largest crisis in Africa." It estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017, particularly in Borno state, where villagers under siege have typically been forced to abandon their crops. "A projected 5.1 million people will face serious food shortages as the conflict and risk of unexploded improvised devices prevented farmers planting for a third year in a row, causing a major food crisis," the UN said on December 2. People freed from Boko Haram's grip by the army have generally been taken to camps where basic supplies are also scarce. The Nigerian presidency has since accused aid groups of exaggerating the food crisis. (AFP)

Army 'crushes' Boko Haram's last stronghold: Nigeria

Two young girls approximately seven or eight years old blew themselves up in a northeastern Nigerian market on Sunday, killing themselves and one other person and wounding 18 others, sources said.

The girls were &quot;seven or eight&quot;, a local militia member in Maiduguri, Abdulkarim Jabo, told AFP.

The attack was not immediately claimed by Boko Haram but bore the hallmarks of the jihadists, who routinely use women and girls to carry out suicide attacks, often in Borno state, the epicentre of their insurgency.

Borno Governor Kashim Shettima, visiting victims in the hospital, confirmed the toll in the attack.

Maiduguri militiaman Jabo said he saw the girls on Sunday immediately before the explosion.

&quot;They got out of a rickshaw and walked right in front of me without showing the slightest sign of emotion,&quot; he said.

&quot;I tried to speak with one of them, in Hausa and in English, but she didn&#39;t answer. I thought they were looking for their mother,&quot; he added. &quot;She headed toward the poultry sellers, and then detonated her explosives belt.&quot;

&nbsp;

Boko Haram jihadists have laid waste to northeast Nigeria since they took up arms against the government in 2009. &nbsp;At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than two and a half million more displaced by the unrest.

Rights groups say thousands of women and girls have been abducted by the group. In the most infamous incident, in 2014, more than 200 schoolgirls were taken in the remote town of Chibok.

The jihadists have used abducted females as sex slaves and human bombs, while boys are enlisted to fight. Northeast Nigeria has been buffeted in recent weeks by devastating attacks.&nbsp;

On Friday at least 45 people died and 33 others were wounded in another double suicide attack carried out by female bombers at a marketplace in the town of Madagali.

In October another set of female suicide bombers killed 17 people at a station near a camp for internally displaced persons.

In February 2015, Boko Haram used an eight-year-old to carry out a suicide attack in Potiskum, in Yobe state, and a 10- and 18-year-old pair were involved in a failed July 2014 attack in Funtua, in northwestern Katsina state.&nbsp;

(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram

Two young girls approximately seven or eight years old blew themselves up in a northeastern Nigerian market on Sunday, killing themselves and one other person and wounding 18 others, sources said. The girls were "seven or eight", a local militia member in Maiduguri, Abdulkarim Jabo, told AFP. The attack was not immediately claimed by Boko Haram but bore the hallmarks of the jihadists, who routinely use women and girls to carry out suicide attacks, often in Borno state, the epicentre of their insurgency. Borno Governor Kashim Shettima, visiting victims in the hospital, confirmed the toll in the attack. Maiduguri militiaman Jabo said he saw the girls on Sunday immediately before the explosion. "They got out of a rickshaw and walked right in front of me without showing the slightest sign of emotion," he said. "I tried to speak with one of them, in Hausa and in English, but she didn't answer. I thought they were looking for their mother," he added. "She headed toward the poultry sellers, and then detonated her explosives belt." Boko Haram jihadists have laid waste to northeast Nigeria since they took up arms against the government in 2009. At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than two and a half million more displaced by the unrest. Rights groups say thousands of women and girls have been abducted by the group. In the most infamous incident, in 2014, more than 200 schoolgirls were taken in the remote town of Chibok. The jihadists have used abducted females as sex slaves and human bombs, while boys are enlisted to fight. Northeast Nigeria has been buffeted in recent weeks by devastating attacks. On Friday at least 45 people died and 33 others were wounded in another double suicide attack carried out by female bombers at a marketplace in the town of Madagali. In October another set of female suicide bombers killed 17 people at a station near a camp for internally displaced persons. In February 2015, Boko Haram used an eight-year-old to carry out a suicide attack in Potiskum, in Yobe state, and a 10- and 18-year-old pair were involved in a failed July 2014 attack in Funtua, in northwestern Katsina state. (AFP)

Two young girls blow themselves up in Nigerian market; 3 dead, 18 injured

Forty-five people were killed on Friday when two female suicide bombers detonated their explosives in a busy market in northeast Nigeria, the military said.&nbsp;

The emergency service said that 33 people have been injured.

Several people have been injured in the attack,&quot; said Akintoye on the phone from a military base in the town of Mubi, 100 kilometres (60 miles) away.&nbsp;

A local government official and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the attack, the latest in Boko Haram&#39;s seven-year insurgent campaign in the restive region.&nbsp;

&quot;The two bombers who (were) disguised as customers, detonated their suicide belts at the section of the market selling grains and second-hand clothing,&quot; said Yusuf Muhammad, the chairman of Madagali local government.&nbsp;

&quot;We still don&#39;t have the exact number of those injured but they are many,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Ibrahim Abdulkadir, NEMA spokesman for the northeast, said rescuers had been deployed to the scene.&nbsp;

&quot;We heard there was a twin-blast in a market at Madagali this morning. Our men are on (the) ground evacuating the victims,&quot; he told AFP. &quot;We still don&#39;t have details of casualties.&quot;&nbsp;

He said security agents had cordoned off the scene of the explosions.&nbsp;

Madagali was among the territory captured by Boko Haram in 2014 before Nigerian troops, supported by a regional force, liberated it in 2015.&nbsp;

Friday&#39;s incident was the third in the town since two female suicide bombers attacked in December last year, killing and injuring scores.

Boko Haram is seeking to impose a hardline Islamic legal system on Nigeria&#39;s mainly-Muslim north. Its campaign of violence has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced some 2.6 million since 2009.

Nigeria&#39;s military campaign against the jihadists is increasingly bogged down as it confronts suicide attacks, looting and indiscriminate slaughter.

The United Nations has warned that the affected region faces the &quot;largest crisis in Africa&quot;.&nbsp;

The UN estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017 because of the ongoing violence, particularly in Borno State, the epicentre of the rebellion.

(AFP)

Two female suicide bombers detonated their explosives in a busy market in northeast Nigeria, according to the military

Forty-five people were killed on Friday when two female suicide bombers detonated their explosives in a busy market in northeast Nigeria, the military said. The emergency service said that 33 people have been injured. Several people have been injured in the attack," said Akintoye on the phone from a military base in the town of Mubi, 100 kilometres (60 miles) away. A local government official and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the attack, the latest in Boko Haram's seven-year insurgent campaign in the restive region. "The two bombers who (were) disguised as customers, detonated their suicide belts at the section of the market selling grains and second-hand clothing," said Yusuf Muhammad, the chairman of Madagali local government. "We still don't have the exact number of those injured but they are many," he added. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, NEMA spokesman for the northeast, said rescuers had been deployed to the scene. "We heard there was a twin-blast in a market at Madagali this morning. Our men are on (the) ground evacuating the victims," he told AFP. "We still don't have details of casualties." He said security agents had cordoned off the scene of the explosions. Madagali was among the territory captured by Boko Haram in 2014 before Nigerian troops, supported by a regional force, liberated it in 2015. Friday's incident was the third in the town since two female suicide bombers attacked in December last year, killing and injuring scores. Boko Haram is seeking to impose a hardline Islamic legal system on Nigeria's mainly-Muslim north. Its campaign of violence has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced some 2.6 million since 2009. Nigeria's military campaign against the jihadists is increasingly bogged down as it confronts suicide attacks, looting and indiscriminate slaughter. The United Nations has warned that the affected region faces the "largest crisis in Africa". The UN estimates that 14 million people will need outside help in 2017 because of the ongoing violence, particularly in Borno State, the epicentre of the rebellion. (AFP)

45 killed in suicide attacks in northeast Nigeria: Army

The Nigerian military on Saturday rescued another of the missing Chibok schoolgirls, abducted by Islamist militant group Boko Haram, near the border with Cameroon.&nbsp;

The army spokesman Sani Usman said the girl was discovered by troops who were screening escapees from Boko Haram&#39;s base in the Sambisa forest in Pulka, Gwoza local government area in Borno state.&nbsp;

The girl, Maryam Ali Maiyanga, was &quot;discovered to be carrying a 10-month-old son&quot;, the army spokesman said.

Last month, 21 of the abducted 270 girls were released by Boko Haram following talks between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government.&nbsp;

The government said it was hoping to secure the release of 83 other girls believed to be from Chibok being held by a different factions of the extremist group.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The girl was 'found carrying a 10-month-old son' by troops who were screening escappes from Boko Haram militant base

The Nigerian military on Saturday rescued another of the missing Chibok schoolgirls, abducted by Islamist militant group Boko Haram, near the border with Cameroon. The army spokesman Sani Usman said the girl was discovered by troops who were screening escapees from Boko Haram's base in the Sambisa forest in Pulka, Gwoza local government area in Borno state. The girl, Maryam Ali Maiyanga, was "discovered to be carrying a 10-month-old son", the army spokesman said. Last month, 21 of the abducted 270 girls were released by Boko Haram following talks between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The government said it was hoping to secure the release of 83 other girls believed to be from Chibok being held by a different factions of the extremist group. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nigeria army rescues Chibok schoolgirl near Cameroon border

Nigerian officials are sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for Boko Haram victims, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.

The rights group said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls who were abused by camp leaders, policemen, and soldiers. The victims of sexual harassment were spread across seven &#39;internally displaced persons&#39; (IDP) camps in Maiduguri city. The city is at the heart of a seven-year insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram group.

&quot;It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram,&quot; said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW, reported news agency AFP. &quot;It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,&quot; she added.

Human Rights Watch found that four of the victims were drugged and raped. Thirty-seven were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance, AFP reported.

&quot;Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents,&quot; the global rights body said.&nbsp;

A 17-year-old girl told the Human Rights Watch that she was raped and got pregnant by a policeman.

&quot;One day he demanded to have sex with me,&quot; she said. &quot;I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant. When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him.&quot;

HRW said that men took advantage of an irregular supply of food and other necessary items like clothing, medicine to &quot;have sex with women&quot;.

&quot;In some cases, men used their positions of authority and gifts of desperately needed food or other items to have sex with women,&quot; the report said, AFP reported.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari directed police to &quot;immediately commence investigations into the issue.&quot;&nbsp;

Boko Haram has killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people in an attempt to set up an Islamic State in the northeast.

(With inputs from AFP)

The right body said irregular supplies of food, clothing and other essentials in camps were making the women vulnerable to exploitation

Nigerian officials are sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for Boko Haram victims, Human Rights Watch said on Monday. The rights group said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls who were abused by camp leaders, policemen, and soldiers. The victims of sexual harassment were spread across seven 'internally displaced persons' (IDP) camps in Maiduguri city. The city is at the heart of a seven-year insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram group. "It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram," said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW, reported news agency AFP. "It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them," she added. Human Rights Watch found that four of the victims were drugged and raped. Thirty-seven were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance, AFP reported. "Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents," the global rights body said. A 17-year-old girl told the Human Rights Watch that she was raped and got pregnant by a policeman. "One day he demanded to have sex with me," she said. "I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant. When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him." HRW said that men took advantage of an irregular supply of food and other necessary items like clothing, medicine to "have sex with women". "In some cases, men used their positions of authority and gifts of desperately needed food or other items to have sex with women," the report said, AFP reported. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari directed police to "immediately commence investigations into the issue." Boko Haram has killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people in an attempt to set up an Islamic State in the northeast. (With inputs from AFP)

Nigeria authorities sexually abuse Boko Haram victims: Human Rights Watch

At least eight people were killed in a twin suicide bombing in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Saturday, the military said, news agency Reuters reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but the attack bore hallmarks of Boko Haram, reported Reuters. Maiduguri city is at the heart of a seven-year-old insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram militants, Reuters reported.

In two separate incidents that happened simultaneously, a woman riding a scooter blew herself up killing three people and another female suicide bomber blew herself up in front of the Bakasi camp on the city&#39;s outskirts, the army said, reported Reuters.

Boko Haram has killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people in an&nbsp;attempt to set up an Islamic State in the northeast.

Nigeria&#39;s army has recaptured most of the territory that was controlled by Boko haram at the star of 2015. The group, however, still stages suicide bombings in the northeast, and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon.

(With inputs from Reuters)

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

At least eight people were killed in a twin suicide bombing in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Saturday, the military said, news agency Reuters reported. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but the attack bore hallmarks of Boko Haram, reported Reuters. Maiduguri city is at the heart of a seven-year-old insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram militants, Reuters reported. In two separate incidents that happened simultaneously, a woman riding a scooter blew herself up killing three people and another female suicide bomber blew herself up in front of the Bakasi camp on the city's outskirts, the army said, reported Reuters. Boko Haram has killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people in an attempt to set up an Islamic State in the northeast. Nigeria's army has recaptured most of the territory that was controlled by Boko haram at the star of 2015. The group, however, still stages suicide bombings in the northeast, and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon. (With inputs from Reuters)

Twin suicide bombing in Nigeria's Maiduguri kills at least eight

The Islamic State-allied faction of Boko Haram which last week freed 21 of more than 200 Chibok girls kidnapped in April 2014 in northeast Nigeria is willing to negotiate the release of 83 more of the girls, the president&#39;s spokesman said on Sunday.

&nbsp;

Around 220 girls were taken from their school in 2014 in Chibok in northeastern Borno state, where Boko Haram has waged a seven-year insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic state, killing thousands and displacing more than 2 million people.

&nbsp;

A faction of the militant group released 21 of the girls on Thursday after the Red Cross and the Swiss government brokered a deal. They were brought from the northeastern city of Maiduguri to the capital Abuja to meet state officials.

&nbsp;

&quot;These 21 released girls are supposed to be tale-bearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls,&quot; Garba Shehu, spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

&nbsp;

&quot;The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them,&quot; said Shehu, adding that the state is prepared to negotiate with the branch of Boko Haram.

&nbsp;

The Islamic State-allied splinter group said the rest of the kidnapped Chibok girls were with the part of Boko Haram under the control of figurehead Abubakar Shekau, according to Shehu.

&nbsp;

Boko Haram has apparently split with a big group moving away from Shekau over his failure to adhere to guidance from the Iraq- and Syria-based Islamic State, which in August named Musab al-Barnawi as its new leader for West Africa.

&nbsp;

But that appointment was later dismissed in a 10-minute audio clip on social media by a man purporting to be Shekau, exposing divisions within the jihadist group that has plagued Nigeria and neighbours, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

&nbsp;

Information minister Lai Mohammed on Thursday denied reports that the state had swapped captured Boko Haram fighters for their release and said he was not aware if any ransom had been paid. He said a Nigerian army operation against Boko Haram would continue.

&nbsp;

In recent days, the Nigerian army has been carrying out an offensive in the Sambisa forest, a stronghold of Boko Haram.

&nbsp;

The militants controlled a swathe of land around the size of Belgium at the start of 2015, but Nigeria&#39;s army has recaptured most of the territory. The group still stages suicide bombings in the northeast, as well as in neighbouring, Niger and Cameroon.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The group said the rest of the kidnapped Chibok girls were with the part of Boko Haram under the control of figurehead Abubakar Shekau

The Islamic State-allied faction of Boko Haram which last week freed 21 of more than 200 Chibok girls kidnapped in April 2014 in northeast Nigeria is willing to negotiate the release of 83 more of the girls, the president's spokesman said on Sunday. Around 220 girls were taken from their school in 2014 in Chibok in northeastern Borno state, where Boko Haram has waged a seven-year insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic state, killing thousands and displacing more than 2 million people. A faction of the militant group released 21 of the girls on Thursday after the Red Cross and the Swiss government brokered a deal. They were brought from the northeastern city of Maiduguri to the capital Abuja to meet state officials. "These 21 released girls are supposed to be tale-bearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls," Garba Shehu, spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. "The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them," said Shehu, adding that the state is prepared to negotiate with the branch of Boko Haram. The Islamic State-allied splinter group said the rest of the kidnapped Chibok girls were with the part of Boko Haram under the control of figurehead Abubakar Shekau, according to Shehu. Boko Haram has apparently split with a big group moving away from Shekau over his failure to adhere to guidance from the Iraq- and Syria-based Islamic State, which in August named Musab al-Barnawi as its new leader for West Africa. But that appointment was later dismissed in a 10-minute audio clip on social media by a man purporting to be Shekau, exposing divisions within the jihadist group that has plagued Nigeria and neighbours, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Information minister Lai Mohammed on Thursday denied reports that the state had swapped captured Boko Haram fighters for their release and said he was not aware if any ransom had been paid. He said a Nigerian army operation against Boko Haram would continue. In recent days, the Nigerian army has been carrying out an offensive in the Sambisa forest, a stronghold of Boko Haram. The militants controlled a swathe of land around the size of Belgium at the start of 2015, but Nigeria's army has recaptured most of the territory. The group still stages suicide bombings in the northeast, as well as in neighbouring, Niger and Cameroon. (Reuters)

Nigerian govt says Boko Haram faction ready to negotiate release of 83 more Chibok girls

An American NGO worker was abducted on Friday night from Abalak, northeast of Niger&#39;s capital Niamey before he was taken to Mali, a security source told AFP.&nbsp;

The source, who did not wish to be named said, &quot;It is too early to determine the identity of the kidnappers, who have returned to Mali. The authorities have put the region on maximum alert&quot;.

&quot;At least two people were killed during an exchange of gunfire&quot; as the American was getting kidnapped.&nbsp;

&quot;All roads to Mali are being monitored,&quot; the source said but did not give the identity of the victims.&nbsp;

A US state department spokesperson told AFP that they knew an American had been kidnapped but refused to comment.

This is the first time a US national has been kidnapped in the area, which known for abductions and armed violence. Since 2012, neighbouring Mali has seen attacks by militants when French-led military pushed them out.&nbsp;

Niger&#39;s President Mahamadou Issoufou had said last week, &quot;To resolve the security problem in Mali is also to resolve the security problem in Niger.&quot;

Apart from the threat from Mali, Niger also faces attacks from Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant group.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

The NGO worker was kidnapped on Friday night from Abalak, northeast of the capital Niamey, before being taken to Mali

An American NGO worker was abducted on Friday night from Abalak, northeast of Niger's capital Niamey before he was taken to Mali, a security source told AFP. The source, who did not wish to be named said, "It is too early to determine the identity of the kidnappers, who have returned to Mali. The authorities have put the region on maximum alert". "At least two people were killed during an exchange of gunfire" as the American was getting kidnapped. "All roads to Mali are being monitored," the source said but did not give the identity of the victims. A US state department spokesperson told AFP that they knew an American had been kidnapped but refused to comment. This is the first time a US national has been kidnapped in the area, which known for abductions and armed violence. Since 2012, neighbouring Mali has seen attacks by militants when French-led military pushed them out. Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou had said last week, "To resolve the security problem in Mali is also to resolve the security problem in Niger." Apart from the threat from Mali, Niger also faces attacks from Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant group. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US national abducted in Niger: Security source

Jihadist group Boko Haram on Thursday freed 21 of more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls it had kidnapped two years ago.&nbsp;

Nigerian vice president Yemi Osinbajo met with the freed girls in Abuja.

&quot;It&#39;s a very exciting news for the whole country,&quot; he said, AFP reported.

&quot;About an hour ago I met with the 21 who have been brought back. They are reasonably in good health considering the circumstances in which they have been held,&quot; Osinbajo told reporters after the meeting.

His office also released the names of the girls which showed that one of them was carrying a baby, media reports said.&nbsp;

Local sources told AFP that their release was a part of a prisoner swap with the Nigerian government. However, the information &nbsp;minister Lai Mohammed denied such reports, saying he was not aware if any ransom had been paid.

The kidnapping had &nbsp;prompted a worldwide outrage and the girls&rsquo; plight was publicised on social media using a Twitter hashtag, #bringbackourgirls.

&quot;In the next few days or months we will be able to negotiate the release of more of the girls,&quot; Osinbajo told reporters.

Officials have accused Boko Haram of having married off the girls to its followers. Reuters reported.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The government has denied reports that the girls were swapped for Boko Haram fighters

Jihadist group Boko Haram on Thursday freed 21 of more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls it had kidnapped two years ago. Nigerian vice president Yemi Osinbajo met with the freed girls in Abuja. "It's a very exciting news for the whole country," he said, AFP reported. "About an hour ago I met with the 21 who have been brought back. They are reasonably in good health considering the circumstances in which they have been held," Osinbajo told reporters after the meeting. His office also released the names of the girls which showed that one of them was carrying a baby, media reports said. Local sources told AFP that their release was a part of a prisoner swap with the Nigerian government. However, the information minister Lai Mohammed denied such reports, saying he was not aware if any ransom had been paid. The kidnapping had prompted a worldwide outrage and the girls’ plight was publicised on social media using a Twitter hashtag, #bringbackourgirls. "In the next few days or months we will be able to negotiate the release of more of the girls," Osinbajo told reporters. Officials have accused Boko Haram of having married off the girls to its followers. Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Boko Haram releases 21 out of 200 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls

Nigerian troops on Wednesday claimed they had recaptured a town on the shores of Lake Chad from Boko Haram militants.&nbsp; 
 
The regional troops have been fighting the militant group over control of Mallam Fatori.&nbsp; 
 
Army spokesman Sani Usman said a fierce battle ensued backed by air support that resulted in the deaths of several Boko Haram militants.&nbsp; 
 
He said its troops and counterparts from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had captured the town.&nbsp; 
 
The MNJTF is made up of soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. 
 
But the terrorists moved in with reinforcements around the border with Niger while the troops were consolidating on the success.&nbsp; 
 
The militant group claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;This offensive led to the death of more than 40 soldiers and left tens of others injured,&quot; it said in a statement posted on social media. 
 
The town of Mallam Fatori in the Borno state was liberated in March last year as part of a regional counter-offensive against the militants.&nbsp; 
 
There have been an increasing number of attacks in southeast Niger in recent weeks, an indication the rebels have regrouped and switched focus. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Nigerian army launched an offensive to capture the town of Mallam Fatori when Boko Haram militants moved in with reinforcements

Nigerian troops on Wednesday claimed they had recaptured a town on the shores of Lake Chad from Boko Haram militants. The regional troops have been fighting the militant group over control of Mallam Fatori. Army spokesman Sani Usman said a fierce battle ensued backed by air support that resulted in the deaths of several Boko Haram militants. He said its troops and counterparts from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had captured the town. The MNJTF is made up of soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. But the terrorists moved in with reinforcements around the border with Niger while the troops were consolidating on the success. The militant group claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties. "This offensive led to the death of more than 40 soldiers and left tens of others injured," it said in a statement posted on social media. The town of Mallam Fatori in the Borno state was liberated in March last year as part of a regional counter-offensive against the militants. There have been an increasing number of attacks in southeast Niger in recent weeks, an indication the rebels have regrouped and switched focus. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nigerian army battles Boko Haram militants to retake town in northeast

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