Latest news with #MarvellousDurowaiye
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Nigeria's defence chief defends military conduct amid scrutiny
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa speaks during a meeting where the Nigerian Navy announced the arrest of 76 vessels over oil theft in two years, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye/File Photo ABUJA - Nigeria's defence chief has defended operations against insurgents and criminal gangs that have caused civilian casualties, saying the military is doing what it can to prevent loss of life. Nigeria's military has increasingly used airstrikes against the growing threat of militias in the north and central regions. It has admitted to mistakenly targeting civilians while pursuing armed gangs in the northwest, where there is widespread insecurity, and has promised to investigate such cases. Defence Chief of Staff General Christopher Musa also called for a review of international laws, arguing that they restrict state forces while leaving non-state actors "who kill at will" unchecked. In rare comments to reporters in the capital Abuja on Wednesday, Musa said the military frequently halts operations to prevent civilian harm, even at the cost of compromising tactical advantages. "We are made to look as if we are committing the worst atrocities ever, but I can assure you that we are doing the best we can. We respect human rights and value civilian lives," he said. "We often abort operations to avoid civilian casualties ... this has, in part, prolonged the conflict." The remarks come after growing scrutiny of Nigeria's counterinsurgency operations and accusations by rights groups that the military has used excessive force. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength But there are frustrations within Nigeria's armed forces, where many believe they are being judged against higher standards than comparable forces in more developed countries. They also say too little account is taken of the difficulties of fighting informal armed Islamist insurgents or criminal gangs who operate entirely among civilians. The general cited ongoing training in human rights and international humanitarian law for military personnel, both locally and abroad, as evidence of progress. REUTERS
The Star
21-06-2025
- The Star
Suspected suicide bomber kills 12 in Nigeria's Borno state
Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi speaks during a meeting where the Nigerian Navy announced the arrest of 76 vessels over oil theft in two years, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -A suspected female suicide bomber killed at least 12 people and injured several others at a fish market on Friday night in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, police said on Saturday. Borno state police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said in a statement that a woman with an improvised explosive device strapped to her body, infiltrated a crowd at the fish market before detonating it among civilians. Daso said those injured were taken to hospital. Local residents said at least 30 people were injured. Borno state is the heartland of an insurgency - primarily driven by the Islamist armed group Boko Haram - that has been raging for the past 16 years, killing thousands and displacing at least 2 million people, according to aid agencies. (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Charred bodies, shattered lives after gunmen kill 100 in Nigeria
A man stands in front of a damaged and burnt house following a deadly gunmen attack in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye A man looks down in grief following a deadly gunmen attack in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye A woman stands in front of the remains of a burnt building following a deadly gunmen attack in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye YELWATA, Nigeria - The gunmen attacked after dark and chased farmer Fidelis Adidi away from the central Nigerian village of Yelwata. The next morning he returned to find the charred remains of one of his two wives and four of his children. They had been living in a room he had rented in the market, in an attempt to keep them safe from a wave of clashes between cattle herders and farmers in the country's Middle Belt region. His second wife and another child were badly wounded in the assault that began on Friday night and, according to Amnesty International, killed around 100 people in the town in Benue region. "My body is weak and my heart keeps racing," the 37-year-old told Reuters as he stood outside the room, surveying the damage. "I lost five of my family members." In another room in the market, bodies lay burned beyond recognition next to blackened piles of food and farm equipment. Authorities have struggled to contain the violence that has simmered for years, fuelled by competition over land as well as ethnic and religious divisions. President Bola Tinubu - who called the recent upsurge in attacks "depressing" on Monday - is due to visit Benue on Wednesday, his first visit there since coming to office two years ago. Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency said it was working with aid agencies to help at least 3,000 people displaced by the violence in a territory where the majority Muslim north meets the predominantly Christian south. Market trader Talatu Agauta, who is pregnant with her second child, fled when the attackers came on Friday night and took refuge in the state capital Markudi. She came back over the weekend to find 40 bags of her rice had been burned. A devastating blow, but not enough to drive her from her home. "I came back and even if I die here, I don't mind," she said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Charred bodies, shattered lives after gunmen kill 100 in Nigeria
Burnt grains and farming equipment sit inside a storehouse following a deadly gunmen attack in Yelewata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye YELWATA, Nigeria (Reuters) -The gunmen attacked after dark and chased farmer Fidelis Adidi away from the central Nigerian village of Yelwata. The next morning he returned to find the charred remains of one of his two wives and four of his children. They had been living in a room he had rented in the market, in an attempt to keep them safe from a wave of clashes between cattle herders and farmers in the country's Middle Belt region. His second wife and another child were badly wounded in the assault that began on Friday night and, according to Amnesty International, killed around 100 people in the town in Benue region. "My body is weak and my heart keeps racing," the 37-year-old told Reuters as he stood outside the room, surveying the damage. "I lost five of my family members." In another room in the market, bodies lay burned beyond recognition next to blackened piles of food and farm equipment. Authorities have struggled to contain the violence that has simmered for years, fuelled by competition over land as well as ethnic and religious divisions. President Bola Tinubu - who called the recent upsurge in attacks "depressing" on Monday - is due to visit Benue on Wednesday, his first visit there since coming to office two years ago. Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency said it was working with aid agencies to help at least 3,000 people displaced by the violence in a territory where the majority Muslim north meets the predominantly Christian south. Market trader Talatu Agauta, who is pregnant with her second child, fled when the attackers came on Friday night and took refuge in the state capital Markudi. She came back over the weekend to find 40 bags of her rice had been burned. A devastating blow, but not enough to drive her from her home. "I came back and even if I die here, I don't mind," she said. (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
