*Boko Haram pledges allegiance to Islamic State militants, who accept the declaration, stating that their aim of establishing an Islamic caliphate has now been extended to West Africa.
*As counter-insurgency operations continue, Boko Haram carry out a series of deadly attacks in Borno State, primarily centred on soft targets in Maiduguri.
*Political activities intensify across the country, contributing to an ongoing cycle of instability.

National Overview

An audio message released by Boko Haram on 07 March, in which the insurgents pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group operating in Syria and Iraq, dominated international and national headlines this week. ISIS leaders have publicly accepted Boko Haram’s pledge, stating that their aim of establishing an Islamic caliphate has now been extended to West Africa. An allegiance between the two groups is not entirely unexpected, particularly as Boko Haram appears to have been replicating a number of ISIS tactics in recent months, including beheading, the declaration of a caliphate, and the use of increasingly sophisticated videos detailing their activities. However, in reality it remains to be seen whether the declaration will have a tangible impact on operations on the ground, particularly due to the vast geographical distances between the operating areas of the two groups. It is more likely the announcement has come as a result of the increasing pressure Boko Haram are currently finding themselves under, as national and regional counter-insurgency offensives continue to target the group throughout the north-east. The group is likely to be using the declaration to strike fear into the general public and disrupt the upcoming general elections. As another part of these efforts, this week Boko Haram carried out a series of deadly bombings in Borno State, largely concentrated on Maiduguri, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people. Further attacks on soft targets, such as markets and transport terminals, should be expected in the coming weeks, particularly in urban centres in the north of the country. As security forces continue operations in the region, a further up-tick in violence is also likely, particularly as the insurgents retaliate and attempt to publicly demonstrate their strength. In political developments, tensions continue to grow between the main political parties; the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as campaigning continues ahead of the elections. Supporters of the APC have threatened to occupy the Aso Presidential Villa and major cities in Nigeria should the general elections be postponed again. Elsewhere across Nigeria, political and criminal activities intensified, contributing to an ongoing nationwide cycle of instability, particularly in the South-South and North-Central Zones.

South-West Zone
OYO, OGUN, OSUN, ONDO, LAGOS

Violence intensified across the South-West Zone this week, with further criminal activities being reported throughout the region. On 08 March, a seven-man armed robbery gang attacked Fajuyi Housing Estate along Ilawe Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, robbing some residents of their personal belongings. The attack lasted a number of hours before security operatives intervened. On 11 March, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Yaba Unit was killed by unknown gunmen at his residence in Queens Street, Oyingbo, Lagos. The incident is likely to be as a result of of the ongoing power tussle between rival groups who are attempting to remove the victim from his leadership position wanted to dislodge the victim from the leadership of motor parks in the Tarmac area, Oyingbo. Reprisal attacks are likely in the coming weeks. The visit of President Jonathan to Lagos on 12 March disrupted business activities around Lagos Island and accounted for major traffic congestion. Coinciding with the visit of the President, armed robbers in military uniforms attacked a bank in Lekki Phase 1, killing at least two people during an exchange of gunfire with security operatives, before escaping in a speed boat via the Ikoyi-Lekki toll bridge. Further violence should be expected throughout the zone in the coming weeks.

South-South Zone
EDO, DELTA, BAYLESA, RIVERS, AKWA IBOM, CROSS RIVER

Political rivalries and inter-gang rivalry increased this week, resulting in an uptick in violent incidents across the zone. On 07 March, at least two gang-related clashes were reported in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, killing at least nine people. Five people were killed in the first attack which occurred around D-Line area Port Harcourt when unknown gunmen attacked a hotel. Four other people were later killed along the Eastern By-Pass in the Marine Base area, also by suspected gang members. In another incident, four people were killed and 15 others injured in Ekori community, Yakurr LGA, Cross River State, after fighting broke out between supporters of the PDP and Labour Party (LP). The incident occurred less than a month after the four major political parties in the state signed a peace agreement committing them to no violence before, during and after the March and April elections. On 12 March, armed robbers ambushed a vehicle in Ogwashi-uku community near Asaba, Delta State, killing three passengers.

South-East Zone
ENUGU, EBONYI, IMO, ABIA, ANAMBRA

The South-Eouth Zone remained largely quiet with no significant incidents reported, however violent activities cannot be ruled out over the coming weeks as the elections draw closer and political tensions rise in the zone.

North-Central Zone
NIGER, KWARA, NASARAWA, FEDERAL CAPITAL, EKITI, PLATEAU, BENUE, KOGI

The lingering conflict between Fulani Herdsmen and the Berom farmers contributed to an uptick in levels of violence in the North-Central Zone this week. Following the death of two Fulani Herdsmen at the hands of Berom farmers, the Herdsmen launched a series of reprisal attacks, including on 10 March, when gunmen killed four people in Barakinladi LGA; the third attack in the area in just one month. Nine people were also killed on 08 March at Rahwol Kassa, Barakinladi LGA, by suspected Fulani Herdsmen. In a further incident, gunmen believed to be Fulani Herdsmen attacked Jootar in Ukemberagya/Twarev LGA, the state governor’s local government area, killing at least five people, On 10 March, a Syrian national, Mah Faith Nagor, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at a construction site in Toto LGA. On 11 March, three Indian nationals were also kidnapped at the Dangote Plant at Obajana, Kogi State while returning from the Dangote Mine site 10km away from the plant. One is reported to have been released while the two others are still being held. There are rising concerns amongst the general public over the recent spate of kidnappings on construction sites across the North-Central Zone. Less than two weeks ago, a Chinese construction worker was kidnapped before being released after the payment of a ransom on 27 February. An American woman working as a Christian missionary, who was kidnapped on 23 February from the Hope Academy compound, Emiworo, Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, was released on 06 March state. While there has been no confirmation as to whether a ransom was paid to secure her release, financial gains are the primary motivation for the kidnapping of foreign nationals, and is likely to be the reason for this week’s incidents as well. In other developments, two PDP chieftains were killed at Gbinde village in Ushongo LGA, Benue State by unknown gunmen while travelling from Katsina-Ala to Adikpo on 11 March. 17 political parties also signed a peace agreement in Kogi State ahead of the forthcoming general elections this week, committing them to no violence before, during and after the March and April elections. However, the signing of the accord does not guarantee a violence-free election period, particularly because violent acts by their supporters or sponsors cannot be ruled out.

North-West Zone
SOKOTO, ZAMFARA, KEBBI, KATSINA, JIGAWA, KANO, KADUNA

A clash between soldiers and civilians was recorded in southern Kaduna this week, affecting students at the Kaduna State College of Education, many of whom were forced to flee the school to avoid been caught up in the violence. The cause of the clash is yet to be disclosed, however a number of people are reported to have been killed. While there were no new significant terrorism incidents reported in the north-west this week, the fear of further attacks remains high and rising political tensions means there is a continuing risk of violence.

North-East Zone
BORNO, YOBE, GOMBE, BAUCHI, ADAMAWA, TARABA

Further offensives by the military and the MNJTF this week have resulted in the re-capture of more villages and equipment from Boko Haram. Despite security forces also managing to repel several Boko Haram attacks during the reporting period, the insurgents still succeeded in carrying out at least five attacks in the zone this week, continuing their targeting of markets, motor parks and road sides. On 07 February, at least 60 people were killed and 100 more injured when two markets and a motor park were attacked in Maiduguri, in the deadliest cluster of attacks the Borno state capital has seen since insurgents attempted to take over the city in January. The initial explosion was at the Maiduguri Baga Fish Market, when a suicide bomber on a tricycle attempted to enter the market before detonating a bomb, killing at least 36 people. The second explosion took place less than an hour later at the Monday Market, which has been targeted several times in the past. The third bomb was detonated at the Borno Express bus terminal, killing two people. Another bomb attack occurred on 08 March, when Boko Haram insurgents planted a bomb at the entrance to the Beneisheikh market, Kaga LGA, killing at least five people and injuring 15 others. The Monday Market was then attacked again by Boko Haram on 10 March, killing 34 people and injuring 12 others. Boko Haram also began ambushing travellers at Ngamdu, a village along the Maiduguri/Damaturu road, killing eight people and injuring 15 others. Further suicide bombings and attacks by the insurgents are very likely in the coming weeks as they try publically to prove that they are still capable of carrying out mass-casualty incidents despite ongoing military offensives. In positive developments, the Nigerian military and regional forces continued to intensify counter-insurgency operations this week, successfully preventing an attempt by Boko Haram to seize a Local Government Area secretariat in Grakida, Adamawa State on 08 March. Many insurgents were allegedly killed during the attack, which also saw the recovery of a raft of weaponry and equipment. The Nigerian military also allegedly dislodged the insurgents from Lame/Bura forest between Ningi and Torro LGAs of Bauchi State. In total, security operatives have so far re-taken 36 towns from the insurgents and allegedly retaken the entirety of Adamawa State from Boko Haram, although this report remains unconfirmed. Security operatives look set to increase military offensives in the coming weeks, particularly as new equipment and personnel from South Africa, Ukraine and Russia are reportedly joining operations. In the political sphere, unknown gunmen kidnapped the Bauchi State House of Assembly APC candidate for the Ganjuwa West constituency, Alhaji Yusuf Dadiye on 09 March, while he was travelling to Miya from Bauchi State.

Source: http://insidetrack.edinburghint.com/nigeria-weekly-security-report-13-march/

rodeo0070:
Source: http://insidetrack.edinburghint.com/nigeria-weekly-security-report-13-march/

can't seem to access your mail....

BTW I followed u back!