Kids in Nigeria have been kidnapped from their school once again. More than 40 people - including students and teachers were abducted. One student was killed in the shooting. Why can't Nigeria keep its kids safe? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas | Another school kidnapping in Nigeria: One student killed

Gunmen have kidnapped many school children in Kagara, Nigeria. Gunmen even stormed the school wearing the military uniform. According to the magistrate, the headcount is currently being conducted to get the exact number of children kidnapped.

WION Fineprint: Nigerian gunmen wearing military uniform storm a school

One person has died and several students feared abducted as armed men believed to belong to a criminal gang raided a state-run school in Niger state, in Nigeria's Middle Belt region early Wednesday.&nbsp;

The gunmen have kidnapped&nbsp;schoolboys from their hostels along with some of the teachers in central Nigeria, an official and a security source said.&nbsp;

The attackers wearing military uniforms stormed the Government Science College in "huge numbers" in the town of Kagara in Niger state late on Tuesday, herding the students into a nearby forest, the sources said.&nbsp;

One student was dead during the kidnapping, the official said.&nbsp;

Northwest and central Nigeria have increasingly been targeted by criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" who kidnap for ransom, rape and pillage across the region.&nbsp;

"Bandits went into GSC Kagara last night and kidnapped hundreds of students and their teachers," said an official who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.&nbsp;

"One of the kidnapped staff and some students managed to escape. The staff confirmed a student was shot dead during the kidnap operation," the official said.&nbsp;

The security source confirmed the details of the attack and said a headcount was underway.&nbsp;

Troops with aerial support were tracking the bandits for possible rescue, the security source said.&nbsp;

The Niger kidnapping came two months after hundreds of schoolboys were abducted in northwestern Katsina state then released days later following negotiations with the government.&nbsp;

The gangs who are driven by financial motives have no ideological leanings but security officials fear they are being infiltrated by jihadists from Nigeria's northeast where the army is battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

One person has died and several students feared abducted as armed men believed to belong to a criminal gang raided a state-run school in Niger state, in Nigeria's Middle Belt region early Wednesday.

One person has died and several students feared abducted as armed men believed to belong to a criminal gang raided a state-run school in Niger state, in Nigeria's Middle Belt region early Wednesday. The gunmen have kidnapped schoolboys from their hostels along with some of the teachers in central Nigeria, an official and a security source said. The attackers wearing military uniforms stormed the Government Science College in "huge numbers" in the town of Kagara in Niger state late on Tuesday, herding the students into a nearby forest, the sources said. One student was dead during the kidnapping, the official said. Northwest and central Nigeria have increasingly been targeted by criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" who kidnap for ransom, rape and pillage across the region. "Bandits went into GSC Kagara last night and kidnapped hundreds of students and their teachers," said an official who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. "One of the kidnapped staff and some students managed to escape. The staff confirmed a student was shot dead during the kidnap operation," the official said. The security source confirmed the details of the attack and said a headcount was underway. Troops with aerial support were tracking the bandits for possible rescue, the security source said. The Niger kidnapping came two months after hundreds of schoolboys were abducted in northwestern Katsina state then released days later following negotiations with the government. The gangs who are driven by financial motives have no ideological leanings but security officials fear they are being infiltrated by jihadists from Nigeria's northeast where the army is battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency. (With inputs from AFP)

One feared killed, many students kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria school: Report

Gunmen believed to belong to a criminal gang have kidnapped hundreds of schoolboys from their hostels along with some of their teachers in central&nbsp;Nigeria, an official and a security source told AFP Wednesday.

The attackers wearing military uniforms stormed&nbsp;the Government Science College in "huge numbers" in the town of Kagara in Niger state late on Tuesday, herding the students into a nearby forest, the sources said.

The school has around 1,000 students and it was unclear how many were taken.&nbsp;

One student was dead during the kidnapping, the official said.

Northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;have increasingly been targeted by criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" who kidnap for ransom, rape and pillage across the region.&nbsp;

"Bandits went into GSC Kagara last night and kidnapped hundreds of students and their teachers," said an official who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

"One of the kidnapped staff and some students managed to escape. The staff confirmed a student was shot dead during the kidnap operation," the official said.

The school has around 1,000 students and it was not immediately clear how many were taken.

The security source confirmed the details of the attack and said a headcount was underway.

Troops with aerial support were tracking the bandits for possible rescue, the security source said.

The Niger kidnapping came two months after hundreds of schoolboys were abducted in northwestern Katsina state then released days later following negotiations with the government.

The gangs who are driven by financial motives have no ideological leanings but security officials fear they are being infiltrated by jihadists from&nbsp;Nigeria's northeast where the army is battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency.

Gunmen believed to belong to a criminal gang have kidnapped hundreds of schoolboys from their hostels along with some of their teachers in central Nigeria, an official and a security source told AFP Wednesday.

Gunmen believed to belong to a criminal gang have kidnapped hundreds of schoolboys from their hostels along with some of their teachers in central Nigeria, an official and a security source told AFP Wednesday. The attackers wearing military uniforms stormed the Government Science College in "huge numbers" in the town of Kagara in Niger state late on Tuesday, herding the students into a nearby forest, the sources said. The school has around 1,000 students and it was unclear how many were taken. One student was dead during the kidnapping, the official said. Northwest and central Nigeria have increasingly been targeted by criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" who kidnap for ransom, rape and pillage across the region. "Bandits went into GSC Kagara last night and kidnapped hundreds of students and their teachers," said an official who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. "One of the kidnapped staff and some students managed to escape. The staff confirmed a student was shot dead during the kidnap operation," the official said. The school has around 1,000 students and it was not immediately clear how many were taken. The security source confirmed the details of the attack and said a headcount was underway. Troops with aerial support were tracking the bandits for possible rescue, the security source said. The Niger kidnapping came two months after hundreds of schoolboys were abducted in northwestern Katsina state then released days later following negotiations with the government. The gangs who are driven by financial motives have no ideological leanings but security officials fear they are being infiltrated by jihadists from Nigeria's northeast where the army is battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency.

Gunmen kidnap hundreds of schoolboys in Nigeria

Nigerian police arrested a small group of protesters in Lagos on Saturday after they tried to hold a rally demanding justice for victims of a deadly shooting during demonstrations last year.

Activists had called for new protests on Saturday after a judicial panel authorised the reopening of the city's giant Lekki tollgate, where security forces shot at protesters in October.

Last year's mostly youth-led #EndSARS protests against police brutality and governance brought Africa's largest city to a standstill in October in a campaign that won backing from many high-profile celebrities.

Police on Saturday bundled around 17 protesters into a black truck at the tollgate where security forces had deployed since Friday evening, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

"Lekki tollgate should be made a museum of resistance and not a monument for money making," said Damilare Adebola, 24, who spoke from the police van where he was being held.

There were no other protesters at the gate and traffic was flowing normally, with some drivers chanting "End SARS" as they passed by.

One young protester in a red T-shirt managed to sprint away from police chasing him.

Nigeria's government this week had warned against holding new protests at Lekki, saying the rallies could descend into violence in the name of justice.

"We are calling on all Nigerian authorities to demonstrate commitment to protect the right to peaceful protest," watchdog Amnesty International said on Twitter.

The original #EndSARS protests, named after the SARS police force accused of abuses, spread even after the unit was disbanded and the government promised reforms.&nbsp;

The demonstrations ended abruptly after the shooting in Lagos and a wave of looting and unrest that followed.

An investigation into last year's violence at Lekki has stalled with representatives of the armed forces failing to appear before the panel.

Security forces say they only used blank rounds to break up protesters who had defied a curfew, though Amnesty International said soldiers shot dead at least 10 people.

After October's deadly shooting, the United Nations, African Union, European Union and Britain urged the authorities to refrain from using excessive force.

The wave of protests in October had been the biggest display of people power in years in Africa's most populous nation as young people gathered to demand more sweeping changes.

The huge highway tollgate at Lekki in Lagos became the epicentre of the protest movement with musicians and celebrities joining rallies there during weeks of demonstrations.

Nigerian police arrested a small group of protesters in Lagos on Saturday after they tried to hold a rally demanding justice for victims of a deadly shooting during demonstrations last year.

Nigerian police arrested a small group of protesters in Lagos on Saturday after they tried to hold a rally demanding justice for victims of a deadly shooting during demonstrations last year. Activists had called for new protests on Saturday after a judicial panel authorised the reopening of the city's giant Lekki tollgate, where security forces shot at protesters in October. Last year's mostly youth-led #EndSARS protests against police brutality and governance brought Africa's largest city to a standstill in October in a campaign that won backing from many high-profile celebrities. Police on Saturday bundled around 17 protesters into a black truck at the tollgate where security forces had deployed since Friday evening, an AFP reporter at the scene said. "Lekki tollgate should be made a museum of resistance and not a monument for money making," said Damilare Adebola, 24, who spoke from the police van where he was being held. There were no other protesters at the gate and traffic was flowing normally, with some drivers chanting "End SARS" as they passed by. One young protester in a red T-shirt managed to sprint away from police chasing him. Nigeria's government this week had warned against holding new protests at Lekki, saying the rallies could descend into violence in the name of justice. "We are calling on all Nigerian authorities to demonstrate commitment to protect the right to peaceful protest," watchdog Amnesty International said on Twitter. The original #EndSARS protests, named after the SARS police force accused of abuses, spread even after the unit was disbanded and the government promised reforms. The demonstrations ended abruptly after the shooting in Lagos and a wave of looting and unrest that followed. An investigation into last year's violence at Lekki has stalled with representatives of the armed forces failing to appear before the panel. Security forces say they only used blank rounds to break up protesters who had defied a curfew, though Amnesty International said soldiers shot dead at least 10 people. After October's deadly shooting, the United Nations, African Union, European Union and Britain urged the authorities to refrain from using excessive force. The wave of protests in October had been the biggest display of people power in years in Africa's most populous nation as young people gathered to demand more sweeping changes. The huge highway tollgate at Lekki in Lagos became the epicentre of the protest movement with musicians and celebrities joining rallies there during weeks of demonstrations.

Nigeria police arrest protesters at symbolic Lagos tollgate

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days.

"We are going to repatriate our compatriots," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Anadolu state news agency.

"They are in good health," he said without providing details about the crew's release.

The Mozart had been en route from the Nigeria's economic capital Lagos to Cape Town in South Africa when it was boarded on January 23.

The unidentified armed men killed an Azerbaijani sailor and wounded several of the Liberian-flagged vessel's crew.

The ship then sailed on to Gabon before contact was officially lost.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said the Turkish leader had spoken to the ship's acting captain shortly after the attack to make sure the remaining crew were safe.

The head of the shipping company operating the Mozart told Turkish television that the crew would fly home after undergoing health checkups in Nigeria.

Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last month.

Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola.

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days.

Turkey on Friday announced the release of 15 sailors kidnapped on a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Mozart's crew were all in good health and would fly back to Turkey from the Nigerian capital Abuja within days. "We are going to repatriate our compatriots," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Anadolu state news agency. "They are in good health," he said without providing details about the crew's release. The Mozart had been en route from the Nigeria's economic capital Lagos to Cape Town in South Africa when it was boarded on January 23. The unidentified armed men killed an Azerbaijani sailor and wounded several of the Liberian-flagged vessel's crew. The ship then sailed on to Gabon before contact was officially lost. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said the Turkish leader had spoken to the ship's acting captain shortly after the attack to make sure the remaining crew were safe. The head of the shipping company operating the Mozart told Turkish television that the crew would fly home after undergoing health checkups in Nigeria. Pirate attacks on ships worldwide jumped 20 percent last year driven by a record spate of kidnappings off West Africa, the International Maritime Bureau said last month. Out of 135 sailors abducted globally last year, 130 were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea -- the highest ever number of crew members kidnapped in the area stretching thousands of kilometres (miles) from Senegal to Angola.

Turkey says 15 sailors kidnapped off Nigeria are free

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities.

Auwalun Daudawa, the leader of the criminal gang that carried out the torturous killings, surrendered to the local officials on Monday, along with six other members of his group.

"In a brief ceremony at the premises of the Governor's office.... Auwalun Daudawa handed over the weapons and also... swore with the Holy Quran not to revert to his old ways," government's spokesman Zailani Bappa told local reporters.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-kill-19-in-village-raids-in-northwestern-nigeria-362187">Gunmen kill 19 in village raids in northwestern Nigeria</a>

These abductions took place in December 2020 when President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting his home state of Katsina.&nbsp;

The criminals also surrendered 20 Kalashnikovs and other weapons on Monday.

Daudawa had led the mission in which hundreds of students were kidnapped from their school's hostels in a town of Kankara.

Hours after the kidnapping, some students had managed to escape and later nearly 340 students were freed after days of negotiations between the local authorities and the criminal gang.

This has come as a change in the usual violent environment of Nigeria in the past few months, where a few criminal gangs have been terrorising the area by looting, kidnapping and murdering the locals.

Daudawa's surrender has taken place as part o the amnesty offered to the bandits, the statement read.

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities.

Hundreds of students were kidnapped from a northwest state of Nigeria in December 2020. The leader behind those kidnappings has now surrendered to the authorities. Auwalun Daudawa, the leader of the criminal gang that carried out the torturous killings, surrendered to the local officials on Monday, along with six other members of his group. "In a brief ceremony at the premises of the Governor's office.... Auwalun Daudawa handed over the weapons and also... swore with the Holy Quran not to revert to his old ways," government's spokesman Zailani Bappa told local reporters. Also read| Gunmen kill 19 in village raids in northwestern Nigeria These abductions took place in December 2020 when President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting his home state of Katsina. The criminals also surrendered 20 Kalashnikovs and other weapons on Monday. Daudawa had led the mission in which hundreds of students were kidnapped from their school's hostels in a town of Kankara. Hours after the kidnapping, some students had managed to escape and later nearly 340 students were freed after days of negotiations between the local authorities and the criminal gang. This has come as a change in the usual violent environment of Nigeria in the past few months, where a few criminal gangs have been terrorising the area by looting, kidnapping and murdering the locals. Daudawa's surrender has taken place as part o the amnesty offered to the bandits, the statement read.

Criminal leader behind abduction of school children in Nigeria surrenders

Nineteen people were killed at the weekend when armed men raided two villages in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state, the government said, in the latest violence to hit the region.

Gunmen from kidnapping and cattle rustling gangs -- called bandits by locals --- often raid villages in northwest Nigeria, stealing cattle, kidnapping for ransom and burning homes after looting supplies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Kaduna State Government has received reports from security agencies of the killing of 19 citizens in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas," Samuel Aruwan, internal affairs commissioner said in a statement.

"The citizens were killed by armed bandits at Kutemeshi village in Birnin Gwari and Kujeni village in Kajuru, where several others were left with bullet wounds," Aruwan said.

Late on Saturday, bandits riding on motorcycles killed 14 people and injured others when they invaded Kutemeshi where they looted shops, the official said.

On the same day motorbike-riding gunmen also stormed Kujeni where they killed five people and burnt "several" houses, warehouses and a church, said Aruwan in the statement.

But residents said 19 people were killed just in the raid in Kutemeshi.

"We lost 19 people in the attack. We buried them yesterday (Sunday)," said Kutemeshi resident Ayuba Abdullahi.

Last month bandits killed 12 people and kidnapped 30 others in attacks on three villages in Birnin Gwari district and neighbouring Katsina state.

Kidnapping and cattle rustling gangs maintain camps in the Rugu forest straddling Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states.

The gangs have no ideological leanings but there are concerns that the gangs may be gradually infiltrated by jihadists from the northeast.

Violence across the northwest has killed 8,000 people since 2011 and displaced more than 200,000, some into neighbouring Niger, according to a report last year by the International Crisis Group (ICG).

Nineteen people were killed at the weekend when armed men raided two villages in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state, the government said, in the latest violence to hit the region.

Nineteen people were killed at the weekend when armed men raided two villages in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state, the government said, in the latest violence to hit the region. Gunmen from kidnapping and cattle rustling gangs -- called bandits by locals --- often raid villages in northwest Nigeria, stealing cattle, kidnapping for ransom and burning homes after looting supplies. "Kaduna State Government has received reports from security agencies of the killing of 19 citizens in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas," Samuel Aruwan, internal affairs commissioner said in a statement. "The citizens were killed by armed bandits at Kutemeshi village in Birnin Gwari and Kujeni village in Kajuru, where several others were left with bullet wounds," Aruwan said. Late on Saturday, bandits riding on motorcycles killed 14 people and injured others when they invaded Kutemeshi where they looted shops, the official said. On the same day motorbike-riding gunmen also stormed Kujeni where they killed five people and burnt "several" houses, warehouses and a church, said Aruwan in the statement. But residents said 19 people were killed just in the raid in Kutemeshi. "We lost 19 people in the attack. We buried them yesterday (Sunday)," said Kutemeshi resident Ayuba Abdullahi. Last month bandits killed 12 people and kidnapped 30 others in attacks on three villages in Birnin Gwari district and neighbouring Katsina state. Kidnapping and cattle rustling gangs maintain camps in the Rugu forest straddling Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states. The gangs have no ideological leanings but there are concerns that the gangs may be gradually infiltrated by jihadists from the northeast. Violence across the northwest has killed 8,000 people since 2011 and displaced more than 200,000, some into neighbouring Niger, according to a report last year by the International Crisis Group (ICG).

Gunmen kill 19 in village raids in northwestern Nigeria

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.5 billion from China. This has resulted in debt burden for China. The loan amount is so huge that Nigeria can only repay it&nbsp;in 2 decades. A failure to repay the debt means that Nigeria will have to surrender its oil fields or coastal port authorities. Nigeria is world's 10th largest oil producer.

Worry is on the ecological front as well with Chinese illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities being another cause of concern. Nigeria is losing $70 million due to Chinese trawlers. IUU has been a global concern, from Africa to Latin America putting pressure on local ecology and encroaching on national sovereignties.

China is keen on increasing engagement with the African continent. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited Niger in the first week of January this year, with a focus on cooperation against covid and a number of agreements being signed. &nbsp;And while China is trying hard to win over the continent, it has already got a lot of bad press, especially when it comes to racism.&nbsp;

2020 saw Nigeria strongly voicing its concern after videos emerged of discrimination faced by Nigerians in Guangzhou. They were been stigmatized for being carriers of the Covid virus. The Chinese envoy to Nigeria was summoned by foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the matter was strongly taken up.

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.

While debt burden imposed by China on many countries has been in news for long, Nigeria is faced with a problem that is both -- ecological and financial. Nigeria has a loan of USD 6.5 billion from China. This has resulted in debt burden for China. The loan amount is so huge that Nigeria can only repay it in 2 decades. A failure to repay the debt means that Nigeria will have to surrender its oil fields or coastal port authorities. Nigeria is world's 10th largest oil producer. Worry is on the ecological front as well with Chinese illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities being another cause of concern. Nigeria is losing $70 million due to Chinese trawlers. IUU has been a global concern, from Africa to Latin America putting pressure on local ecology and encroaching on national sovereignties. China is keen on increasing engagement with the African continent. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited Niger in the first week of January this year, with a focus on cooperation against covid and a number of agreements being signed. And while China is trying hard to win over the continent, it has already got a lot of bad press, especially when it comes to racism. 2020 saw Nigeria strongly voicing its concern after videos emerged of discrimination faced by Nigerians in Guangzhou. They were been stigmatized for being carriers of the Covid virus. The Chinese envoy to Nigeria was summoned by foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the matter was strongly taken up.

Nigeria faces China's ecological, financial drain

The number of people fleeing violence in the Central African Republic has doubled in just a week to nearly 60,000, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday, as post-electoral violence intensifies.

UN: Nearly 60,000 have fled Central African Republic violence

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday.

Sowore's lawyer Femi Falana demanded his client's immediate release following the arrests in the capital Abuja overnight December 31, adding that he had been placed in a dangerous section of a notorious prison.

The police officers who arrested Sowore, who is also a journalist, "subjected him to severe beating and left him with bruises all over his body," Falana told AFP.&nbsp;

"As if that was not enough he has been locked up in the midst of armed robbery suspects at a notorious detention facility called 'abattoir'," the lawyer said.

Several hours before his arrest, the opposition leader issued a tweet calling on Nigerians to march in the street to denounce bad governance in Nigeria.

Contacted by AFP, the police confirmed the arrests took place just after the New Year began.&nbsp;

The FCT police command arrested the five activists at 12:30 am on January 1 in a "swift response to a distress call received from some tensed residents" over "an unusual gathering and movement," the police said.

The five suspects were arrested for "unlawfully gathering at very odd hours, thereby causing palpable tension amongst the residents of Gudu and Lokogoma areas of the FCT," regional police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf told AFP.

A candidate for president in February 2019, Sowore, 49, was arrested on August 1, 2019 for having called for a mass demonstration, "Revolution Now."

A harsh critic of president Muhammadu Buhari, he is also the founder of the online newspaper Sahara Reporters, which touts itself as an independent investigative media outlet.

He was released in December 2019, but remained accused of treason, money laundering, and cyber harassment of the head of state.

At the time, civil society, some media organisations and the opposition denounced a tilt toward heavy-handed security that they said recalled the years of military dictatorship the country experienced before the advent of democracy in 1999.

In October Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, experienced an unprecedented youth movement against police violence and state authority.

The protests were crushed, spilling blood, according to several human rights group. They degenerated into a week of riots and looting in several major cities of the country. 
&nbsp;

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday.

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday. Sowore's lawyer Femi Falana demanded his client's immediate release following the arrests in the capital Abuja overnight December 31, adding that he had been placed in a dangerous section of a notorious prison. The police officers who arrested Sowore, who is also a journalist, "subjected him to severe beating and left him with bruises all over his body," Falana told AFP. "As if that was not enough he has been locked up in the midst of armed robbery suspects at a notorious detention facility called 'abattoir'," the lawyer said. Several hours before his arrest, the opposition leader issued a tweet calling on Nigerians to march in the street to denounce bad governance in Nigeria. Contacted by AFP, the police confirmed the arrests took place just after the New Year began. The FCT police command arrested the five activists at 12:30 am on January 1 in a "swift response to a distress call received from some tensed residents" over "an unusual gathering and movement," the police said. The five suspects were arrested for "unlawfully gathering at very odd hours, thereby causing palpable tension amongst the residents of Gudu and Lokogoma areas of the FCT," regional police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf told AFP. A candidate for president in February 2019, Sowore, 49, was arrested on August 1, 2019 for having called for a mass demonstration, "Revolution Now." A harsh critic of president Muhammadu Buhari, he is also the founder of the online newspaper Sahara Reporters, which touts itself as an independent investigative media outlet. He was released in December 2019, but remained accused of treason, money laundering, and cyber harassment of the head of state. At the time, civil society, some media organisations and the opposition denounced a tilt toward heavy-handed security that they said recalled the years of military dictatorship the country experienced before the advent of democracy in 1999. In October Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, experienced an unprecedented youth movement against police violence and state authority. The protests were crushed, spilling blood, according to several human rights group. They degenerated into a week of riots and looting in several major cities of the country.

Nigeria arrests journalist and opposition leader Sowore

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday.

Fighters in six trucks attacked the villages of Shafa, Azare and Tashan Alade in Borno state on Saturday and set fire to homes and public buildings while firing sporadically at residents.

"They killed 10 people and burt homes, shops and churches", said Sani Mohammed, head of an anti-jihadist militia.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/niger-citizens-vote-in-a-historic-election-352785">Niger citizens vote in a historic election</a>

The assailants went from village to village. In Azare, they "burnt a police station and killed two policemen, a member of the civil defence and a vigilante," another militiaman Bulus James said.

The attack forced residents to flee into the bush amid shooting from the militants.

"We recovered five dead bodies with gunshots on them from the bush along with six women with gunshot injuries," James said.&nbsp;

"They were all hit while trying to escape," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/another-new-coronavirus-variant-found-in-nigeria-says-africa-cdc-352228/amp">WATCH|</a>

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In Tashan Alade, residents fled into the hills overlooking the village before the assailants arrived, resident Luka Musa said.&nbsp;

"When they came they went on a burning spree, burning three churches, three houses and a drug store," Musa said.&nbsp;

Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in recent days.&nbsp;

In a video it released on Saturday the group claimed responsibility for a Christmas Eve attack on a village in which 11 people died as well as the kidnap of a priest who appeared in the video.

On Thursday dozens of loggers were kidnapped and three killed near the border with Cameroon.

Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations.

abu/har

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday.

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday. Fighters in six trucks attacked the villages of Shafa, Azare and Tashan Alade in Borno state on Saturday and set fire to homes and public buildings while firing sporadically at residents. "They killed 10 people and burt homes, shops and churches", said Sani Mohammed, head of an anti-jihadist militia. Also read| Niger citizens vote in a historic election The assailants went from village to village. In Azare, they "burnt a police station and killed two policemen, a member of the civil defence and a vigilante," another militiaman Bulus James said. The attack forced residents to flee into the bush amid shooting from the militants. "We recovered five dead bodies with gunshots on them from the bush along with six women with gunshot injuries," James said. "They were all hit while trying to escape," he added. WATCH| × In Tashan Alade, residents fled into the hills overlooking the village before the assailants arrived, resident Luka Musa said. "When they came they went on a burning spree, burning three churches, three houses and a drug store," Musa said. Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in recent days. In a video it released on Saturday the group claimed responsibility for a Christmas Eve attack on a village in which 11 people died as well as the kidnap of a priest who appeared in the video. On Thursday dozens of loggers were kidnapped and three killed near the border with Cameroon. Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations. abu/har

At least 10 dead in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria

Boko Haram jihadists have seized around 40 loggers and killed three others in northeast Nigeria near the border with Cameroon, militia sources and residents told AFP on Saturday.

The hostages were rounded up by the insurgents on Thursday in Wulgo forest near the town of Gamboru where they went to collect firewood, the sources said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boko-haram-kills-seven-in-christmas-eve-attack-352292">Boko Haram kills seven in Christmas Eve attack</a>

The jihadists have increasingly targeted loggers and farmers in the northeast, accusing them of passing information to the military and local militias.

"A group of more than 40 loggers left Shehuri on the outskirts of Gamboru on Thursday and never returned by evening as usual," said militia leader Umar Kachalla, who was involved in the search.

"On Friday we mobilised men and went deep into the forest where we recovered three bodies identified to be among the loggers, without a trace of their colleagues."&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jihadists-kill-5-soldiers-kidnap-35-civilians-in-nigeria-351214">Jihadists kill 5 soldiers, kidnap 35 civilians in Nigeria</a>

The missing loggers were presumed kidnapped by the jihadists, who are known to maintain camps in the forest, said Kachalla, a view widely shared by other residents.

"We believe the men were taken by Boko Haram who have been attacking loggers in the forest," said another militia Shehu Mada.

"From all indication the three dead loggers were shot when they tried to escape as they all were shot from behind."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nigeria-school-kids-who-faced-a-week-of-torture-to-undergo-physical-and-mental-examination-351496">WATCH|</a>

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The area has been without telephone services for years following the destruction of masts in Boko Haram attacks, forcing residents to rely on Cameroon mobile phone networks.&nbsp;

Gamboru loggers have suffered repeated Boko Haram attacks and abductions especially around Wulgo forest which was a known Boko Haram hideout.

In November 2018, Boko Haram seized around 50 loggers on their way to collect firewood in the forest, after killing 49 loggers in two previous attacks.

Military authorities had warned loggers not to venture deep into the forest to avoid the insurgents, resident Babandi Abdullahi said.

People are compelled to take the risk and move deep into the forest because nearby vegetation has been depleted by constant logging, Abdullahi said.

Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations.

Boko Haram jihadists have seized around 40 loggers and killed three others in northeast Nigeria near the border with Cameroon, militia sources and residents told AFP on Saturday.

Boko Haram jihadists have seized around 40 loggers and killed three others in northeast Nigeria near the border with Cameroon, militia sources and residents told AFP on Saturday. The hostages were rounded up by the insurgents on Thursday in Wulgo forest near the town of Gamboru where they went to collect firewood, the sources said. Also read| Boko Haram kills seven in Christmas Eve attack The jihadists have increasingly targeted loggers and farmers in the northeast, accusing them of passing information to the military and local militias. "A group of more than 40 loggers left Shehuri on the outskirts of Gamboru on Thursday and never returned by evening as usual," said militia leader Umar Kachalla, who was involved in the search. "On Friday we mobilised men and went deep into the forest where we recovered three bodies identified to be among the loggers, without a trace of their colleagues." Also read| Jihadists kill 5 soldiers, kidnap 35 civilians in Nigeria The missing loggers were presumed kidnapped by the jihadists, who are known to maintain camps in the forest, said Kachalla, a view widely shared by other residents. "We believe the men were taken by Boko Haram who have been attacking loggers in the forest," said another militia Shehu Mada. "From all indication the three dead loggers were shot when they tried to escape as they all were shot from behind." WATCH| × The area has been without telephone services for years following the destruction of masts in Boko Haram attacks, forcing residents to rely on Cameroon mobile phone networks. Gamboru loggers have suffered repeated Boko Haram attacks and abductions especially around Wulgo forest which was a known Boko Haram hideout. In November 2018, Boko Haram seized around 50 loggers on their way to collect firewood in the forest, after killing 49 loggers in two previous attacks. Military authorities had warned loggers not to venture deep into the forest to avoid the insurgents, resident Babandi Abdullahi said. People are compelled to take the risk and move deep into the forest because nearby vegetation has been depleted by constant logging, Abdullahi said. Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations.

Jihadists snatch dozens of loggers in Nigeria, kill three

Another new variant of the novel coronavirus seems to have emerged in Nigeria, the head of Africa’s disease control body said on Thursday, cautioning more investigation was needed.

Another new coronavirus variant found in Nigeria, says Africa CDC

In what could be a new alarm to the Covid-19 pandemic globally, another variant of coronavirus has emerged in Africa’s most populous country, after distinct mutants of the virus have been reported from the UK and South Africa over the last few days. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-emerges-as-new-hotspot-in-uk-1-in-85-people-infected-352089">Also read | London emerges as new hotspot in UK, 1-in-85 people infected</a> 
 
The discovery could add to new alarm in the pandemic after similar variants were announced in Britain and South Africa, leading to the swift return of international travel restrictions and other measures just as the world enters a major holiday season. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-will-stay-with-us-for-the-next-10-years-says-vaccine-creator-351920">Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator</a>

"It's a separate lineage from the UK and the South African lineages," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told an online news conference from Addis Ababa.

"The one we are seeing in Nigeria, and this is based on very limited data yet, has the 501 mutation," Nkengasong added, referring to the variant termed 501.V2 identified in South Africa and announced by public health officials there on December 18.

The Nigeria CDC and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Nigeria will study more samples, Nkengasong said.

The country's principal COVID-19 investigator has just released publicly the genomic sequences of the new variant, he added.

Nigeria's CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Nkengasong's remarks.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with more than 200 million people, has seen fewer coronavirus cases than many others on the continent.

Total cases crept past 80,000 on Wednesday. Daily recorded cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time this month.

(With inputs from agencies)

In what could be a new alarm to the Covid-19 pandemic globally, another variant of coronavirus has emerged in Africa’s most populous country, after distinct mutants of the virus have been reported from the UK and South Africa over the last few days.

In what could be a new alarm to the Covid-19 pandemic globally, another variant of coronavirus has emerged in Africa’s most populous country, after distinct mutants of the virus have been reported from the UK and South Africa over the last few days. Also read | London emerges as new hotspot in UK, 1-in-85 people infected The discovery could add to new alarm in the pandemic after similar variants were announced in Britain and South Africa, leading to the swift return of international travel restrictions and other measures just as the world enters a major holiday season. Also read | Coronavirus will stay with us for the next 10 years, says vaccine creator "It's a separate lineage from the UK and the South African lineages," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told an online news conference from Addis Ababa. "The one we are seeing in Nigeria, and this is based on very limited data yet, has the 501 mutation," Nkengasong added, referring to the variant termed 501.V2 identified in South Africa and announced by public health officials there on December 18. The Nigeria CDC and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Nigeria will study more samples, Nkengasong said. The country's principal COVID-19 investigator has just released publicly the genomic sequences of the new variant, he added. Nigeria's CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Nkengasong's remarks. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with more than 200 million people, has seen fewer coronavirus cases than many others on the continent. Total cases crept past 80,000 on Wednesday. Daily recorded cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time this month. (With inputs from agencies)

After UK, South Africa, another coronavirus variant emerges in Nigeria

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast.

But four government and security officials familiar with negotiations that secured the boys’ release told Reuters the attack was a result of inter-communal feuding over cattle theft, grazing rights and water access – not spreading extremism.

The mass abduction of children in Katsina state would mark a dramatic turn in clashes between farmers and herders that have killed thousands of people across Africa`s most populous nation in recent years, posing a challenge to authorities also battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast.

Officials in Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara, where the boys were released after six days, said the attack was carried out by a gang of mostly semi-nomadic ethnic Fulanis, including former herders who turned to crime after losing their cows to cattle rustlers.

"They have local conflicts that they want to be settled, and they decided to use this (kidnapping) as a bargaining tool," said Ibrahim Ahmad, a security adviser to the Katsina state government who took part in the negotiations through intermediaries.

Such groups are known more for armed robberies and small-scale kidnappings for ransom.

Cattle herders in the northwest are mainly Fulani, whereas farmers are mostly Hausa. For years, farmers have complained of herders letting their cows stray on to their land to graze, while herdsmen have complained their cows are being stolen.

NEGOTIATIONS

Dozens of gunmen arrived on motorcycles at the Government Science Secondary School on Dec. 11 in the town of Kankara in Katsina. They marched the boys into a vast forest that extends from Katsina into Zamfara.

Officials in both states told Reuters they established contact with the kidnappers through their clan, a cattle breeders` association and former gang members who participated in a Zamfara amnesty programme.

The intermediaries met the kidnappers in Ruga forest on several occasions before they agreed to release the boys, according to Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle and security sources including Ahmad.

The gang accused vigilante groups, set up to defend farming communities against banditry, of killing Fulani herders and stealing their cows, Matawalle and Ahmad said. They also made similar accusations against members of a Katsina state committee set up to investigate cattle theft, Ahmad added.

He said he was not aware of any such incidents, but said a police investigation had been launched. No ransom was paid for the boys` release, according to officials in both states.

Reuters could not reach the gang for comment. A spokesman for the herders’ association, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders` Association of Nigeria, declined to discuss the negotiations.

BOKO HARAM?

Gangs such as these have carried out attacks across the northwest, making it hard for locals to farm, travel or tap rich mineral deposits in some states. They were responsible for more than 1,100 deaths in the first half of 2020 alone, according to rights group Amnesty International.

Boko Haram, based in the northeast, has sought to forge alliances with some of them and released videos this year claiming to have received pledges of allegiance, said Jacob Zenn, a Nigeria expert at the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation think tank.

A man identifying himself as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the schoolboys` kidnappings in an unverified audio recording. Soon after, the video started circulating on social media.

However, one boy who spoke in the video later told Nigeria’s Arise television that he did not believe the kidnappers when they told him to say he was being held by Boko Haram.

"Sincerely speaking, they are not Boko Haram... They are just small and tiny, tiny boys with big guns,” said the boy, who did not give his name.

Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed also dismissed Boko Haram`s claim at a Dec. 18 news conference, saying: "They just want to claim that they are still a potent force.

"The boys were abducted by bandits, not Boko Haram," Mohammed said.

Independent security experts said the kidnappers appeared to have drawn inspiration from the militants and may have received advice, but most were sceptical of any direct involvement.

Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at Lagos-based risk consultancy firm SBM Intelligence, said direct Boko Haram involvement was unlikely because of the "logistics of getting to an area that is unfamiliar" to them.

"It’s beyond their current capabilities," he said. "The northwest is an ungoverned area controlled by other groups."

SECOND KIDNAP

Tension between farming and herding communities has been growing in the northwest, where population growth and climate change have increased competition for resources, analysts said.

The day after the boys were returned to their families in Kankara and other towns, another gang briefly abducted some 80 students who were returning from a trip organised by an Islamic school.

The kidnappers released the children after a gunfight with police and a local vigilante group, state police said.

"All the bandits were Fulanis and are over 100 in number," Abdullahi Sada, who led the vigilantes, told Reuters.

He said some of his men were armed with bows and arrows while others had guns made by local blacksmiths.

He denied any knowledge of attacks by vigilantes against Fulani herders, saying: "I have no idea of any such thing happening in my area."

Nastura Ashir Shariff, who chairs the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), an influential civil society group, blamed a scarcity of police for such clashes, saying communities were taking law enforcement into their own hands.

Whoever was responsible for the Kankara kidnappings, Ummi Usman, whose 14-year-old son Mujtaba was among those captured, said she was not sure whether to send him back to school.

"He is still in extreme fear whenever he remembers what they went through at the hands of their abductors," she said.

"Some of them were threatening the students that they will be back."

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast.

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast. But four government and security officials familiar with negotiations that secured the boys’ release told Reuters the attack was a result of inter-communal feuding over cattle theft, grazing rights and water access – not spreading extremism. The mass abduction of children in Katsina state would mark a dramatic turn in clashes between farmers and herders that have killed thousands of people across Africa`s most populous nation in recent years, posing a challenge to authorities also battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Officials in Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara, where the boys were released after six days, said the attack was carried out by a gang of mostly semi-nomadic ethnic Fulanis, including former herders who turned to crime after losing their cows to cattle rustlers. "They have local conflicts that they want to be settled, and they decided to use this (kidnapping) as a bargaining tool," said Ibrahim Ahmad, a security adviser to the Katsina state government who took part in the negotiations through intermediaries. Such groups are known more for armed robberies and small-scale kidnappings for ransom. Cattle herders in the northwest are mainly Fulani, whereas farmers are mostly Hausa. For years, farmers have complained of herders letting their cows stray on to their land to graze, while herdsmen have complained their cows are being stolen. NEGOTIATIONS Dozens of gunmen arrived on motorcycles at the Government Science Secondary School on Dec. 11 in the town of Kankara in Katsina. They marched the boys into a vast forest that extends from Katsina into Zamfara. Officials in both states told Reuters they established contact with the kidnappers through their clan, a cattle breeders` association and former gang members who participated in a Zamfara amnesty programme. The intermediaries met the kidnappers in Ruga forest on several occasions before they agreed to release the boys, according to Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle and security sources including Ahmad. The gang accused vigilante groups, set up to defend farming communities against banditry, of killing Fulani herders and stealing their cows, Matawalle and Ahmad said. They also made similar accusations against members of a Katsina state committee set up to investigate cattle theft, Ahmad added. He said he was not aware of any such incidents, but said a police investigation had been launched. No ransom was paid for the boys` release, according to officials in both states. Reuters could not reach the gang for comment. A spokesman for the herders’ association, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders` Association of Nigeria, declined to discuss the negotiations. BOKO HARAM? Gangs such as these have carried out attacks across the northwest, making it hard for locals to farm, travel or tap rich mineral deposits in some states. They were responsible for more than 1,100 deaths in the first half of 2020 alone, according to rights group Amnesty International. Boko Haram, based in the northeast, has sought to forge alliances with some of them and released videos this year claiming to have received pledges of allegiance, said Jacob Zenn, a Nigeria expert at the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation think tank. A man identifying himself as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the schoolboys` kidnappings in an unverified audio recording. Soon after, the video started circulating on social media. However, one boy who spoke in the video later told Nigeria’s Arise television that he did not believe the kidnappers when they told him to say he was being held by Boko Haram. "Sincerely speaking, they are not Boko Haram... They are just small and tiny, tiny boys with big guns,” said the boy, who did not give his name. Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed also dismissed Boko Haram`s claim at a Dec. 18 news conference, saying: "They just want to claim that they are still a potent force. "The boys were abducted by bandits, not Boko Haram," Mohammed said. Independent security experts said the kidnappers appeared to have drawn inspiration from the militants and may have received advice, but most were sceptical of any direct involvement. Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at Lagos-based risk consultancy firm SBM Intelligence, said direct Boko Haram involvement was unlikely because of the "logistics of getting to an area that is unfamiliar" to them. "It’s beyond their current capabilities," he said. "The northwest is an ungoverned area controlled by other groups." SECOND KIDNAP Tension between farming and herding communities has been growing in the northwest, where population growth and climate change have increased competition for resources, analysts said. The day after the boys were returned to their families in Kankara and other towns, another gang briefly abducted some 80 students who were returning from a trip organised by an Islamic school. The kidnappers released the children after a gunfight with police and a local vigilante group, state police said. "All the bandits were Fulanis and are over 100 in number," Abdullahi Sada, who led the vigilantes, told Reuters. He said some of his men were armed with bows and arrows while others had guns made by local blacksmiths. He denied any knowledge of attacks by vigilantes against Fulani herders, saying: "I have no idea of any such thing happening in my area." Nastura Ashir Shariff, who chairs the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), an influential civil society group, blamed a scarcity of police for such clashes, saying communities were taking law enforcement into their own hands. Whoever was responsible for the Kankara kidnappings, Ummi Usman, whose 14-year-old son Mujtaba was among those captured, said she was not sure whether to send him back to school. "He is still in extreme fear whenever he remembers what they went through at the hands of their abductors," she said. "Some of them were threatening the students that they will be back."

Nigeria school abductions sparked by cattle feuds, not extremism, officials say

Annas Shuaibu says he awoke to the sound of gunshots fired by men who burst into his boarding school in northwest Nigeria in a nighttime raid. He and hundreds of other boys were rounded up and forcibly marched out of the school and into a nearby forest.

Fineprint: Nigerian kids return with a baggage of horror

The abducted school kids reunite with their families after being held captive by the Boko haram for a week. As Nigerians celebrate their return, the kids carry baggage of horror.

Nigeria: School kids who faced a week of torture to undergo physical and mental examination

The abducted school kids reunite with their families after being held captive by the Boko haram for a week. As Nigerians celebrate their return, the kids carry baggage of horror. Molly Gambhir gets you the details

Fineprint: Nigeria's students return with a baggage of horror

Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Mauritania, Ghana and Ivory Coast have seen a sharp rise in cases and are reporting near record levels of infection.

Africa crosses 2.5 million COVID-19 cases as it witnesses second wave of infections

In yet another attack on Nigeria, a group of jihadist gunmen attacked a military convoy and killed nearly five soldiers, military sources reported on Sunday.

Terrorism-hit Nigeria saw two different attacks. Almost 35 civilians were kidnapped and one woman was killed in the second attack which took place in the northeast Borno state. A group of armed men attacked a transport envoy on Saturday and kidnapped civilians by faking a checkpoint. "The ISWAP terrorists who were dressed in military uniform stopped the vehicles... Some of the passengers fled into the bush while 35 were taken hostage," a source revealed.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-local-vigilantes-rescue-schoolchildren-in-fresh-incident-of-abduction-351184">&nbsp;Nigeria: Local vigilantes rescue schoolchildren in fresh incident of abduction</a>

The attack on the military convoy was also carried out in the same area on Sunday outside of Mafa, 44 kilometres (27 miles) north of the regional capital Maiduguri. "The terrorists fired an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) on the convoy which hit one of the vehicles with five soldiers in it," AFP quoted a security source.

As of now, the attacks are being assumed to have been conducted by the&nbsp;Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tears-of-joy-as-parents-hug-freed-nigerian-schoolboys-350935">WATCH|</a>

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The attacks have happened a couple of days after the jihadist group, Boko Haram, kidnapped and then released more than 300 schoolboys kidnapped from a boarding school.

Later, on Saturday, a group of gunmen had once again abducted nearly 80 children&nbsp;after they returned to Mahuta village after attending a religious ceremony. The children returned back to their homes after local&nbsp;vigilantes engaged in a gun battle with the kidnappers.

In yet another attack on Nigeria, a group of jihadist gunmen attacked a military convoy and killed nearly five soldiers, military sources reported on Sunday. Terrorism-hit Nigeria saw two different attacks.

In yet another attack on Nigeria, a group of jihadist gunmen attacked a military convoy and killed nearly five soldiers, military sources reported on Sunday. Terrorism-hit Nigeria saw two different attacks. Almost 35 civilians were kidnapped and one woman was killed in the second attack which took place in the northeast Borno state. A group of armed men attacked a transport envoy on Saturday and kidnapped civilians by faking a checkpoint. "The ISWAP terrorists who were dressed in military uniform stopped the vehicles... Some of the passengers fled into the bush while 35 were taken hostage," a source revealed. Also read| Nigeria: Local vigilantes rescue schoolchildren in fresh incident of abduction The attack on the military convoy was also carried out in the same area on Sunday outside of Mafa, 44 kilometres (27 miles) north of the regional capital Maiduguri. "The terrorists fired an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) on the convoy which hit one of the vehicles with five soldiers in it," AFP quoted a security source. As of now, the attacks are being assumed to have been conducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). WATCH| × The attacks have happened a couple of days after the jihadist group, Boko Haram, kidnapped and then released more than 300 schoolboys kidnapped from a boarding school. Later, on Saturday, a group of gunmen had once again abducted nearly 80 children after they returned to Mahuta village after attending a religious ceremony. The children returned back to their homes after local vigilantes engaged in a gun battle with the kidnappers.

Jihadists kill 5 soldiers, kidnap 35 civilians in Nigeria

Dozens of schoolchildren were rescued by local vigilantes in northern Nigeria after they were abducted by bandits. The children were rescued after a gunbattle. The incident took place in Katsina state. The gunmen had abducted about 80 children on Saturday after they returned to Mahuta village after attending religious ceremony.

The incident came barely 48 hours after the release of 344 schoolboys who were kidnapped from a boarding school.

These boys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School in northwestern Nigeria on December 11 and were held captive in Rugu Forest, a huge woodland area. They were given little food and had to drink water from forest's pools.&nbsp;

Nigerian security forces rescued the children on December 17.

(With AFP inputs)

Dozens of schoolchildren were rescued by local vigilantes in northern Nigeria after they were abducted by bandits. The children were rescued after a gunbattle. The incident took place in Katsina state.

Dozens of schoolchildren were rescued by local vigilantes in northern Nigeria after they were abducted by bandits. The children were rescued after a gunbattle. The incident took place in Katsina state. The gunmen had abducted about 80 children on Saturday after they returned to Mahuta village after attending religious ceremony. The incident came barely 48 hours after the release of 344 schoolboys who were kidnapped from a boarding school. These boys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School in northwestern Nigeria on December 11 and were held captive in Rugu Forest, a huge woodland area. They were given little food and had to drink water from forest's pools. Nigerian security forces rescued the children on December 17. (With AFP inputs)

Nigeria: Local vigilantes rescue schoolchildren in fresh incident of abduction

Parents waited in queues to be reunited with their children on Friday (December 18) in Nigeria, a week after 344 boys were kidnapped by gunmen on motorbikes.

Tears of joy as parents hug freed Nigerian schoolboys

Nigeria has been hit once again and this time a teenage girl who blew herself up in a crowded area in&nbsp;northeast Nigeria's Borno state on Saturday.

The attack took place in the town of Konduga which is nearly&nbsp;38 kilometres (24 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri.

As of now, the volunteers and local authorities have managed to evacuate three dead bodies and two others who have been critically injured in the suicide bomb attack. "We evacuated three dead bodies and two people who were seriously injured from the scene," said aid worker Abubakar Mohammed.&nbsp;

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The teenager set off the explosives among a group of men who were standing next to the local chief's home, said Ibrahim Liman, an anti-jihadist militia leader who gave the same toll.

Although the infamous Islamist group Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility of the attack, experts believe it bore the hallmark of the jihadist group which is known to use female suicide bombers to attack crowded areas to hurt civilians of the area.

This attack has happened a few days after Boko Haram kidnapped more than 300 schoolboys from Nigeria and kept them in custody for more than two days. The jihadist group also carried out a mass killings in a small town of Niger to warn Christians of more such attacks before Christmas.

The authorities are currently working to evacuate the injured.

This is a developing story.&nbsp;

Nigeria has been hit once again and this time a teenage girl who blew herself up in a crowded area in northeast Nigeria's Borno state on Saturday. The attack took place in the town of Konduga which is nearly 38 kilometres (24 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri.

Nigeria has been hit once again and this time a teenage girl who blew herself up in a crowded area in northeast Nigeria's Borno state on Saturday. The attack took place in the town of Konduga which is nearly 38 kilometres (24 miles) from the regional capital Maiduguri. As of now, the volunteers and local authorities have managed to evacuate three dead bodies and two others who have been critically injured in the suicide bomb attack. "We evacuated three dead bodies and two people who were seriously injured from the scene," said aid worker Abubakar Mohammed. × The teenager set off the explosives among a group of men who were standing next to the local chief's home, said Ibrahim Liman, an anti-jihadist militia leader who gave the same toll. Although the infamous Islamist group Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility of the attack, experts believe it bore the hallmark of the jihadist group which is known to use female suicide bombers to attack crowded areas to hurt civilians of the area. This attack has happened a few days after Boko Haram kidnapped more than 300 schoolboys from Nigeria and kept them in custody for more than two days. The jihadist group also carried out a mass killings in a small town of Niger to warn Christians of more such attacks before Christmas. The authorities are currently working to evacuate the injured. This is a developing story.

Nigeria: At least three people dead, two injured in suicide bomb attack

More than 300 schoolboys who had been kidnapped in northern Nigeria were handed over to government security agents on Thursday (December 17), the governor of Katsina state said.

More than 340 kidnapped Nigerian schoolboys freed

6 days have passed. Over 300 boys who were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria haven't returned home. Now, a video of the abducted boys has emerged. One child was seen pleading for help. What is the Nigerian govt doing?

Gravitas: #BringBackOurBoys: Six days and counting, Over 300 boys still missing in Nigeria

300+ students have been missing for more than a week in Nigeria. The parents are left in agony & tears.

Gravitas: Nigeria Jihadist Crisis

On Friday, December 11, more than 300 schoolboys were kidnapped in a raid carried out by Boko Haram insurgents. These&nbsp;kidnappings sparked a nationwide campaign. Today, finally, the&nbsp;344 of the kidnapped students of Nigeria have finally been released by the abductors.&nbsp;

However, as Nigerians celebrate their release there are some concerns that must be addressed such as on what terms has the Muhammadu Buhari administration secured their release?

They say not a single bullet was fired. If so, has the government been forced to pay ransom money to the kidnappers? Another question that pops up is that has&nbsp;the Boko Haram been able to brainwash these students to wage their war against western education?

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The students&nbsp;arrived hoarded on buses, and were bare feet&nbsp;and dressed in dusty clothes with&nbsp;flecks of dried mud on their bodies. They sat in silence as Nigerian government officials,&nbsp;clad in white silk robes, sang praises of the rescue operation.

"So I have a responsibility for all the missing children. So for me, when the news was brought to me, I thank god, because it happened I haven't slept. You can see my eyes, they are red all throughout," said&nbsp;Aminu Bello Masari, Katsina Governor.

These&nbsp;kidnappings sparked a nationwide campaign. Parents of the abductees and&nbsp;Nigerian activists built pressure on the government&nbsp;of Muhammadu Buhari to bring back the boys. Now,&nbsp;exactly a week on, the boys have been released but there's absolute secrecy on the terms of their release.

"Well, we are doing our best. Remember when we closed the border, we found out that still somehow, the terrorists or abductors, still get weapons and ammunition, they still take people hostage they are collecting millions of naira (local currency). We have a lot of work ahead of us," said&nbsp;Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian President.

The boys will now have to undergo a physical and mental examination&nbsp;before being reunited with their families —&nbsp;a very necessary procedure.

In the past, there have been reports of kidnapped children being brainwashed to secretly wage the Boko Haram's war. There were kids, who after their release, were convinced that western education is sinful.

Now, the onus of securing their future is on the Muhammadu Buhari government. It&nbsp;has failed to quell the insurgency since coming to power. Interestingly,&nbsp;Katsina, where the kidnappings took place, is Buhari's home state.

Boko Haram may have released the boys for now but its fight against the westernisation of Nigerian society is far from over. There's no guarantee that it won't carry out similar kidnappings of young students in the future.

What the federal government is doing is not enough. And Mr president has failed us, Mr president shows no sympathy over this matter, Mr president shows no concern over this matter, Mr president doesn't even show humanitarian feeling, he doesn't even have human feeling, the concept of human feeling, the god-fearing, the attitude of showing care and concern over these children," said&nbsp;Jamilu Aliyu Turanci, northwest coordinator of the coalition of northern groups.

On Friday, December 11, more than 300 schoolboys were kidnapped in a raid carried out by Boko Haram insurgents. These kidnappings sparked a nationwide campaign. Today, finally, the 344 of the kidnapped students of Nigeria have finally been released by the abductors.

On Friday, December 11, more than 300 schoolboys were kidnapped in a raid carried out by Boko Haram insurgents. These kidnappings sparked a nationwide campaign. Today, finally, the 344 of the kidnapped students of Nigeria have finally been released by the abductors. However, as Nigerians celebrate their release there are some concerns that must be addressed such as on what terms has the Muhammadu Buhari administration secured their release? They say not a single bullet was fired. If so, has the government been forced to pay ransom money to the kidnappers? Another question that pops up is that has the Boko Haram been able to brainwash these students to wage their war against western education? × The students arrived hoarded on buses, and were bare feet and dressed in dusty clothes with flecks of dried mud on their bodies. They sat in silence as Nigerian government officials, clad in white silk robes, sang praises of the rescue operation. "So I have a responsibility for all the missing children. So for me, when the news was brought to me, I thank god, because it happened I haven't slept. You can see my eyes, they are red all throughout," said Aminu Bello Masari, Katsina Governor. These kidnappings sparked a nationwide campaign. Parents of the abductees and Nigerian activists built pressure on the government of Muhammadu Buhari to bring back the boys. Now, exactly a week on, the boys have been released but there's absolute secrecy on the terms of their release. "Well, we are doing our best. Remember when we closed the border, we found out that still somehow, the terrorists or abductors, still get weapons and ammunition, they still take people hostage they are collecting millions of naira (local currency). We have a lot of work ahead of us," said Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian President. The boys will now have to undergo a physical and mental examination before being reunited with their families — a very necessary procedure. In the past, there have been reports of kidnapped children being brainwashed to secretly wage the Boko Haram's war. There were kids, who after their release, were convinced that western education is sinful. Now, the onus of securing their future is on the Muhammadu Buhari government. It has failed to quell the insurgency since coming to power. Interestingly, Katsina, where the kidnappings took place, is Buhari's home state. Boko Haram may have released the boys for now but its fight against the westernisation of Nigerian society is far from over. There's no guarantee that it won't carry out similar kidnappings of young students in the future. What the federal government is doing is not enough. And Mr president has failed us, Mr president shows no sympathy over this matter, Mr president shows no concern over this matter, Mr president doesn't even show humanitarian feeling, he doesn't even have human feeling, the concept of human feeling, the god-fearing, the attitude of showing care and concern over these children," said Jamilu Aliyu Turanci, northwest coordinator of the coalition of northern groups.

Boko Haram releases kidnapped Nigerian schoolboys, but the danger looms

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram.

It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.

The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara, Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, was initially blamed on criminal gangs who have terrorised the region for years. But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility for the raid.

After a six-day ordeal, local officials said the boys had been released.

Those who were released will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families.

In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped.

Sources had previously told AFP that the raid was carried out by a well known criminal in the region, Awwalun Daudawa, in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami, two other crime chiefs with strong local followings, acting on behalf of Boko Haram.

Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country, hundreds of kilometres (miles) from where Friday's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest.

President Buhari's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter "the northwest now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with."

Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.

#BringBackOurBoys&nbsp;started trending on social media earlier this week, in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings.

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place. The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara, Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, was initially blamed on criminal gangs who have terrorised the region for years. But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility for the raid. After a six-day ordeal, local officials said the boys had been released. Those who were released will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families. In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped. Sources had previously told AFP that the raid was carried out by a well known criminal in the region, Awwalun Daudawa, in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami, two other crime chiefs with strong local followings, acting on behalf of Boko Haram. Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country, hundreds of kilometres (miles) from where Friday's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest. President Buhari's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter "the northwest now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with." Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank. #BringBackOurBoys started trending on social media earlier this week, in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings.

Over 300 Nigerian schoolboys released after mass kidnapping

More than 300 schoolboys kidnapped in northern Nigeria have been rescued, the Katsina state governor has said.

Over 300 kidnapped Nigerian school boys handed to government

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. Watch this video to know more.

Nigeria: Over 300 students handed over to security forces

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