Second Nigerian “Chibok girl” freed in a week seven years after abduction
This week, a second young woman who was abducted from the town of Chibok by Boko Haram militants nearly seven years ago was freed this week, according to the state governor of Borno. The woman was one of 270 teenagers who went missing in the northeastern town in 2014. The
Nigerian army investigating reports that Boko Haram leader died blowing himself up to avoid capture
The Nigerian army is allegedly investigating reports that Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau died after blowing himself up to avoid capture by a rival group. Shekau has to lead the extremist group for years, waging an insurgency in northeast Nigeria for more than a decade. There were multiple reports across
Boko Haram grenade attack kills 15 in north Cameroon
According to an army official, a grenade launched by militant group Boko Haram landed in a camp for internally displaced people, killing 15 and wounding 5. The attack occurred on Sunday morning in the far north region of Cameroon, near the border of Nigeria. According to army sources, the militants
Dozens killed in fresh wave of violence in Nigeria
A series of attacks in northwestern Nigeria caused dozens of casualties over the past week. The attacks are suspected to have been carried out by militia groups targeting specific communities in the southern state of Kaduna. The attacks have been occurring since January, displacing hundreds of residents. Local media stated
Nigeria’s Boko Haram crisis: Aid workers ‘killed’ in Borno state
Last month, five aid workers were abducted in northeast Nigeria, in Borno State. Recently, jihadists have reported that they have executed the aid workers. The abducted men were working for the International Rescue Committee, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, and the State Emergency Management Agency. Nigeria’s president placed the blame
Suspected Boko Haram fighters kill 69 in Nigeria’s northeast
On Tuesday, suspected members of Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, killed at least 69 people in the northeast region of Nigeria. The attack occurred in the Foduma Kolomaiya village in the Gubio area of Borno state. Witnesses claim that the terrorist group came into the village on motorcycles and
30 dead, including pregnant woman and baby, in Nigeria militant attack
This week in Lagos, Nigeria, 30 people died after Boko Haram militants set fire to a campsite set up by travelers while they were sleeping in the region of Borno State, Nigeria. Borno’s governor reported the incident to CNN on Monday. The attacks occurred in Auno Village, which is located
The role of women in West Africa’s violent extremist groups
A recent publication from the Institute for Security Studies has examined the role that women have played in West Africa’s violent extremist groups. Ranging from their abduction and use as a tool to entice men to join extremist ranks to willing participators in activities from operations and suicide attacks, their
‘Hardline takeover’ blamed for latest Boko Haram violence
An increase in Boko Haram violence and tactics in Nigeria has been linked to a power grab by hardline members of the groups leadership, who have allegedly killed the group’s de facto leader some weeks ago due to his moderate stances. This faction had allied itself with ISIS and has
Nigerian military death toll hits 48 in weekend attack by Boko Haram
Underscoring the ongoing lethality of the group even against traditional military targets, Boko Haram attacked and overran a military base in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 48 Nigerian soldiers. The Nigerian government has repeatedly claimed the “defeat” of the group. The militants suffered unknown losses as they overtook and then