Bolstered ISWAP will stretch Nigerian army resources

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Medium Term ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Lake Chad Basin ◽  
North Western

Significance In recent months, ISWAP has apparently seized large amounts of military weapons and equipment from the Nigerian military, including heavy armour, and strengthened its control of seized areas. With a raging banditry crisis in the north-west dividing its attention, the army is on the back foot against both ISWAP and the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram faction in the Lake Chad Basin. Impacts ISWAP’s funding will likely remain locally based over the short term, but concerns will grow over increasing international links. Shekau’s Boko Haram faction is less potent currently but remains a serious threat over the short-to-medium term. Minimal reported clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters indicate both are mainly occupied with attacking military targets for now. Scrutiny will grow over the alleged role of Ansaru, a small group of al-Qaida-linked former Boko Haram fighters, in north-western violence.

Fragility and Insurgency as Outcomes of Underdevelopment of Public Infrastructure and Socio-Economic Deprivation: The Case of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin

2020 ◽  
pp. 154231662095018
Author(s):  
Robert A. Tayimlong
Keyword(s):  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Economic Deprivation ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Lake Chad Basin ◽  
Role Of Religion

2019 marked 10 years since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria—a violent conflict that later spilled over to Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, killing over 37000 people and displacing 2.6 million. For over a decade, researchers and policy makers in peacebuilding and development have been trying to understand the drivers of conflict in order to find lasting solutions. Whilst violent conflicts rarely have straightforward explanations, the narrative on the Boko Haram insurgency has been somewhat reductionist, largely addressing the role of religion, and to a lesser extent, other drivers. Moreover, a lot of the literature has focused on Nigeria, for the obvious reason that it was the birthplace of Boko Haram and the epicentre of its activities. As a result of the disproportionate focus on Nigeria, data on the conditions in the affected regions and provinces of Chad, Cameroon, and Niger that facilitated the regional spill over are very minimal. To fill the gap, this article examines the role of the underdevelopment of public infrastructure and socio-economic deprivation as underlying drivers of the insurgency in all four affected countries. Complemented by data from secondary sources, the article builds on primary evidence from field observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in Borno State of Nigeria, the Lake Province of Chad, the Far North Region of Cameroon, and the Diffa Region of Niger, to establish the link between infrastructural development gaps, illiteracy, unemployment, and poverty and the Boko Haram insurgency.

COVID-19 crisis may not benefit Sahelian jihadists

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
State Security ◽  
Lake Chad Basin

Subject COVID-19 and jihadists. Significance Jihadist attacks are rising across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions, as are conflict fatalities more broadly. However, the increase cannot be solely, or even primarily, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote areas where jihadists fight are in the early stages of their respective outbreaks; much of the increased violence reflects pre-existing conflict dynamics. Many of the fatalities, meanwhile, are caused by state security forces, who may be taking advantage of the pandemic, even more than jihadists are, to target civilians with relative impunity. Impacts Sensitive talks between humanitarian aid groups and jihadists may determine the level of famine in parts of the Sahel over the short term. Relationships between governments and human rights groups and journalists will grow even tenser during COVID-19-related restrictions. Accurate information about conflict zones may become harder to obtain amid restrictions and increased government defensiveness.

North-west Nigerian insecurity faces new escalation

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Access ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
The North ◽  
Security Funds ◽  
North Western ◽  
Ruling Party

Significance The claim that one of Boko Haram’s factions sponsored the Kankara attack reinforces fears that jihadist outreach to bandit groups is succeeding and that violence will grow in coming months. Impacts Precautionary school closures will displace thousands of schoolchildren, and further disrupt educational access in one of the poorest zones. North-western governors will pressure Buhari for new targeted security funds, much of which will likely fall victim to fraud and corruption. Abuja’s opaqueness about security issues, coupled with worsening violence in the north-west, could undermine the ruling party in 2023 polls.

Teleost community composition and the role of herbivory on the intertidal reef of a small isolated island in north-west Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Bessey ◽  
John K. Keesing ◽  
James McLaughlin ◽  
Max Rees ◽  
Mark Tonks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
North West ◽  
Video Footage ◽  
The North ◽  
Specialist Herbivores ◽  
Impact Area ◽  
Small Surface Area ◽  
North Western

Most of the world’s tropical coastal and shelf areas are heavily affected by anthropogenic activities, but the north-west shelf of Australia is considered a ‘very low-impact’ area. The role of herbivory on coral reefs is recognised, but most of that research comes from reefs with considerable land-based impacts. In this study we sampled the teleost community and evaluated herbivory on the reef platform at Browse Island, a small isolated island 200km off north-western Australia, using several approaches: (1) tethering of macroalgae; (2) herbivore exclosures; and (3) video footage. In total, 99 teleost species from 26 families were identified. Turf algal consumption was evident and 18 teleost turf consumers were identified. In contrast, no evidence was found of herbivory on large macroalgae, and browsers, the only group able to consume macroalgae, were represented by just four species all belonging to the genus Naso. The lack of diversity among these specialist herbivores may be a consequence of the small surface area of the reef and the distance to other emergent reefs. Based on a model of top-down control of macroalgae, the reef is potentially vulnerable to disturbance. Small isolated reefs can have low resilience despite having low impacts from land.

The awareness and application of multimedia tools for information literacy instruction at an African university

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-724
Author(s):  
Dina Mokgadi Mashiyane ◽  
Siviwe Bangani ◽  
Kirchner Van Deventer
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Practices ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
Multimedia Tools ◽  
The North ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine academic librarians’ awareness and application of multimedia content for information literacy (IL) instruction at the North-West University in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach This study used both the survey and focus group interviews to gather data from the university's faculty librarians. Findings The results of this study show that despite the majority of librarians being aware of the existence and benefits of multimedia tools that can complement their traditional instructional practices, very few actually apply the tools for IL instructional practices. Among the multimedia tools that the librarians often use for the IL instruction, LibGuides were the most favourable because of their ease of use. The main reasons for not using the multimedia tools cited by librarians include the lack of infrastructure and insufficient skills. Practical implications This study recommends the reskilling of librarians by training them in the use of multimedia tools for IL instruction. Social implications The paper sheds light on the current strategies being implemented by faculty librarians in providing IL using multimedia tools. It also outlines the importance of multimedia tools in enhancing eLearning endeavours. Multimedia skills for librarians can also be essential during times of crisis such as the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Originality/value This study is a welcome contribution to the role of ICTs in enhancing library activities during the 4IR. The voice of the librarians in this area has also been minimally represented. This study, therefore, seeks to address these gaps in published scholarly literature.

Liaison and diversion services: embedding the role of learning disability nurses

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Louise Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to improve the health and criminal justice outcomes for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. People with learning disabilities (LD) are particularly vulnerable to health and social inequalities within the criminal justice system. Design/methodology/approach – Using examples from practice, this paper discusses some of the challenges and achievements experienced by a LD nurse employed within a liaison and diversion service within the North-West of England. Findings – Whilst the specific functions of liaison and diversion practitioners are detailed by National Health Service (NHS) England (2014), complexities in communication, multi-disciplinary working and role recognition affect the embedment of the role in practice. Research limitations/implications – The implications for practice are identified and recommendations for further research made. These seek to evaluate the impact of liaison and diversion services from the perspectives of LD nurses within liaison and diversion services, people with LD, their families and the wider multi-disciplinary team. Originality/value – NHS England (2015) are in the process of evaluating of liaison and diversion services. This paper adds to the evaluation by discussing the experiences of a LD nurse within a liaison and diversion service through the inclusion of activity data and illustrative examples.

Delayed vote raises Nigeria stability risks

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Space ◽  
Electoral Process ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Outward Appearance ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
The Postponement

Significance Presidential and parliamentary elections have been rescheduled for March 28, with state and governorship elections due on April 11. Attahiru Jega, the head of the INEC, said that while the commission was fully prepared to conduct the election, last minute warnings from the security and intelligence chiefs stated that electoral security could not be guaranteed given the demand on troops needed to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east. While constitutional provisions allow for this short-term extension, the reason given for the postponement opens up the prospect for further delay. Impacts A severely flawed electoral process will have a knock-on effect on broader perceptions about Africa's democracy trends. Across the region, the outward appearance of democracy through holding elections rarely indicates free opposition participation. Regional Islamist militancy challenges will continue to be associated with reducing political space, from Chad to Kenya.

Resurgent Boko Haram will damage Nigeria's Buhari

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Internally Displaced Persons ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Full Control ◽  
Lake Chad Basin

Subject Renewed Boko Haram attacks. Significance The Nigerian government’s previous assertions of victory in the war against Boko Haram have once again been undermined following several spectacular and deadly terrorist attacks. Despite the military’s claims that it had taken full control of Boko Haram’s former Sambisa forest base and “broken the heart and soul” of the insurgency, the terrorist group’s various factions remain capable of severely impairing the security situation in the Lake Chad Basin and further hampering the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout the region. Impacts While international focus on the security and humanitarian crisis will increase, investments in security for IDPs will nonetheless lag. Increased high-profile attacks by Boko Haram could undermine Buhari’s standing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Doctors Without Borders (MSF)'s suspension of its Rann operations will further diminish services for IDPs and hamper return efforts.

Emboldened Boko Haram will undermine Nigerian military

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Islamic State ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
Lake Chad Basin ◽  
Leadership Turnover ◽  
Operational Efficacy ◽  
The Military

Subject Boko Haram outlook. Significance The Nigerian Air Force announced on August 20 that it carried out “massive” bombing attacks earlier this month against Boko Haram forces regrouping around their former stronghold in the Sambisa Forest. This follows soon after the military allegedly killed Momodu Bama, second-in command to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. Yet despite these renewed military efforts, the Nigerian army faces two still-capable Boko Haram factions, each of which has staged multiple deadly attacks in recent months. Impacts The Islamic State-linked Boko Haram faction has emerged as the most dangerous security threat in the Lake Chad Basin in the short term. The military will struggle to differentiate between Boko Haram factions, undermining operational efficacy. Leadership turnover within the security forces will not overcome the systemic problem of under-equipped and underprepared troops. Neighbouring countries, such as Niger and Cameroon, will bolster border security amid worsening Boko Haram and other criminal threats.

First record of Hylomyscus walterverheyeni (Rodentia: Muridae) on the north-western side of the Sanaga River (western Cameroon)

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2044 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALAIN DIDIER MISSOUP ◽  
VIOLAINE NICOLAS ◽  
WIM WENDELEN ◽  
CHARLES FELIX BILONG BILONG ◽  
CORINNE CRUAUD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
First Record ◽  
Mountain Forests ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
16S Gene ◽  
Discriminant Analyses ◽  
Western Side ◽  
North Western

We used both molecular and craniometrical data to test the presence of Hylomyscus walterverheyeni in the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Our molecular (cytochrome b and 16S gene sequencing) and morphometrical data (discriminant analyses) clearly show the presence of H. walterverheyeni in the CVL, north-west of the Sanaga River. Hylomyscus walterverheyeni occupies both lowland and mountain forests (up to 2000m asl). In our phylogenetic analyses, the CVL specimens form a monophyletic group. This clade seems to reflect the role of the Sanaga River as a barrier to gene flow within the species.

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