U.S. imposes sanctions on six linked to Boko Haram

The United States has imposed new sanctions on six people linked to Boko Haram who were working to establish a cell of the Nigerian extremist group in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The six – Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan,…

UN counterterrorism chief calls for renewed focus on Africa

All eyes have been on Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control, but the United Nations Security Council was focused Thursday on the threat of Islamic extremism on the African continent. UN counterterrorism chief Vladimir Voronkov, presenting his report on Islamic State and related groups to the council, called for a…

Chad: CMT sole option for regional stability

Mahamat Idriss Déby, the head of Chad’s Transitional Military Council (CMT), scored another political endorsement last week, with a visit to Abuja earning him the support of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigeria follows in the footsteps of France and the USA, who have also given their backing to Déby’s running…

Nigeria shuts boarding schools after 317 girls abducted in Zamfara

Boarding schools in Nigeria’s Zamfara and Kano states were closed indefinitely on Friday, in order to protect vulnerable sites following the abduction of 317 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe. “As you know, the state government always takes proactive measures on issues related to security,” said the…

Nigerian officials confirm release of 344 abducted students

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed late Thursday that students abducted by Boko Haram last week have been released, calling it a huge relief for the country and the international community. The students were taken from the Government Science Secondary School in the northern town of Kankara in Katsina State. Aminu…

On Cameroon, EU’s Mogherini urges humanitarian and human rights action

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon must remain a priority for the European Union, particularly the need for humanitarian support for those displaced, said EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini in an address to the European Parliament. “Regrettably, unlawful killings and atrocities continue to be reported regularly, allegedly involving both the…

Nigerian military ups pressure against NGO Amnesty

The Nigerian army has asked citizens to tune in Tuesday morning to an interview with its public relations spokesman, one day after the country’s military again accused an international NGO of collaborating with Islamic extremists and destabilizing the nation. Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman’s media message followed his statement on…

Nigeria reverses UNICEF suspension tied to Boko Haram suspicions

The Nigerian military says it has lifted a suspension against UNICEF, the United Nations children’s relief agency, imposed earlier because of allegations that the agency was collaborating with Boko Haram terrorists and training spies in the country’s northeast. In a statement issued late Friday, military spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu said that…

Nigeria confirms Boko Haram killed ICRC aid worker

Nigerian officials confirmed the death of an aid worker held by Boko Haram on Monday, a day after the extremists aligned with Islamic State threatened to kill her within 24 hours. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, condemned the death of Hauwa Mohammed Liman, above, and extended Nigeria’s…

ICRC makes appeal as Boko Haram threatens hostage

A desperate appeal came Sunday from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), after they were notified that two health workers abducted by Islamic State-affiliated Boko Haram in Nigeria faced a 24-hour deadline on their execution. Hauwa Mohammed Liman, above, and Alice Loksha were taken on March 1 from the…