As the world continues to deal with COVID-19, the USA celebrates MLK Day and makes plans to inaugurate the 46th President. We thank you for partnering with the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), we appreciate your support and encouragement. ICON publishes this weekly news bulletin to share brief updates and links on the conflict and increasing violence in Nigeria.
Please see the below articles to stay updated on what is occurring in Nigeria:
Armed Group Captures Military Base in Northeast Nigeria
Government troops and hundreds of residents have been forced to flee after an armed group overran a town and captured a military base in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state in an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group, security sources said. Machinegun-wielding fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the base in the town of Marte in the Lake Chad area overnight on Friday into Saturday, two sources told AFP news agency. “The priority now is to reclaim the base from the terrorists and an operation is under way,” one of the sources said on Saturday. “We took a hit from ISWAP terrorists. They raided the base in Marte after a fierce battle.” The second source said the army had “incurred losses” but it was not yet clear how many people had died or the level of destruction inflicted by the armed group.…READ MORE
Four Police Officers Killed, One Missing, After Bandit Attack in Northwest Nigeria
Four police officers were killed and one was missing after armed bandits attacked their convoy in northwest Nigeria on Friday, the Nigerian police said. Around 100 armed men attacked 16 police officers on the Birnin Gwari-Funtua highway as they returned to their headquarters in Kano state, a federal police spokesman said in a statement issued on Sunday. Armed groups of men, commonly called bandits, roam throughout northwest Nigeria, committing armed robberies, kidnappings, cattle theft and even murder. In recent months Nigerians have criticized the government for a lack of security.…READ MORE
Muslim Groups Attack Kukah Over Christmas Message
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has come under verbal attack from some Muslim groups for his Christmas message deemed controversial. In the message titled: “A Nation in search of vindication”, the clergyman highlighted some challenges facing the country and how the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has not lived up to expectations. “Against the backdrop of our endless woes, ours has become a nation wrapped in desolation. The prospects of a failed state stare us in the face: endless bloodletting, a collapsing economy, social anomie, domestic and community violence, kidnappings, armed robberies etc. Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and entire communities. The middle grounds of optimism have continued to shift and many genuinely ask, what have we done to the gods? Does Nigeria have a future? Where can we find hope? Like the Psalmist, we ask; from where shall come our help? (Ps.121:1),” he said in part.…READ MORE
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-Team ICON
