For many years, people displaced by the Boko Haram crisis in northeastern Nigeria have found refuge in camps at the heart of Borno. While the government has now shut down most of these camps, many of their former inhabitants remain in the communities. They are not doing too well.
What is the connection between the pro-Biafran separatist terror group and an infamously vague but violent militia? Here’s what we learnt from studying hundreds of social media posts by IPOB-affiliated accounts. Key takeaways: Ten years ago, the southeastern part of Nigeria was the country’s safest region. But that changed in 2021 as bubbling agitations for a breakaway …
Read more “The Curious Case Of The ‘Unknown Gunmen’ And IPOB’s Internet Propaganda”
Though the war on terror in northeastern Nigeria is often pictured with a male face and baritone voice, a lot of women are also putting their lives on the line in the hopes of seeing peace return fully to the region. Ever since Amina had to watch as her husband was killed, she’s made herself …
Read more “Turning Grief Into A War Cry: The Women On The Frontline Against Boko Haram”
Boko Haram wanted Adam Lawan dead. As a politician and vigilante, he represented everything they detested: allegiance to democratic rule and brazen defiance of the group’s armed insurgency. So they went after him each time they raided Uta, a village in Bama, northeastern Nigeria. But Adam was lucky to escape the attempts on his life. The …
Read more “Chased By Terrorists, Caught By The Military: Two Sides Of An Ugly War”
One cool morning many Septembers ago, Goni set out on a long journey to the urban capital of Borno with a few personal items, three companions, and a healthy herd of goats. He was going to sell the livestock at the Maiduguri Cattle Market, use the proceeds to buy fabrics, and then head back home …
Read more “Tragedy On The Road To Maiduguri’s Cattle Market”
Nigeria has been in a long-drawn battle with violent terror organisations for over a decade. These groups break up, expand, contract, and form new alliances as their strength either intensifies or wanes. Whatever happens, they have remained a threat to the safety of lives and property, and one key reason is their access to funding. …
Read more “How Are Terrorists In Nigeria Funding Their Violent Campaigns?”
Yagana Mamanaye’s life was complete, and then it wasn’t. She had everything she wanted. A home that embraced her. A husband who loved her. Children who brought her a garden of joy. A stable source of income. But, one by one, all those pleasures got sucked out and she was left with nothing. First, it …
Read more “She Lost Three Children Before The War, And Then It Took All That Was Left”
Two hundred and seventy-six girls were kidnapped. Among them, over 100 are still missing. But, also, well over a hundred either escaped or were released by their captors. How are they faring? Over the course of two days, nine girls converge in a tiny hotel room in Yola. As a group, they are some of …
Read more “Keeping Up With The Chibok Girls: Chasing Dreams, Battling Discrimination, Dropping Out”
Reconstructing a typical terrorist attack based on interviews with dozens of victims across three states in the region. It all started 11 years ago, or six, or maybe more recently — depending on what community you are from and how soon they got to you. Before that, you had not grown accustomed to the explosive …
Read more “The Anatomy Of A Terror Attack In Northwest Nigeria”
The government insists it is resettling the displaced people for their good, but so far it hasn’t seemed that way. For many of the returnees, almost everything that could go wrong has. When Gambo Muhammad, 72, left his hometown of Sidiya Kari in Kala Balge, Northeast Nigeria, he felt he had no other choice. Rampaging terrorists …
Read more “Death, Starvation, New Terror Recruits … Aftermath Of Borno’s IDP Resettlement”