Boko Haram ranked ahead of ISIS for deadliest terror group

As much of the world remains focused on the Islamic State and its horrific attacks in Paris, another radical band of extremists has, by one account, captured the infamous title of the world’s deadliest terrorist group: Boko Haram.

Boko Haram, the militant group that has tortured Nigeria and its neighbors for years, was responsible for 6,664 deaths last year, more than any other terrorist group in the world, including the Islamic State, which killed 6,073 people in 2014, according to a report released Wednesday tracking terrorist attacks globally.

The death toll in Nigeria mounted on Wednesday, with a bombing in Kano State in northern Nigeria, not even a full day after Boko Haram was suspected in an explosion that killed and injured dozens in another nearby region.

In Kano, the authorities said that two female suicide bombers detonated vests at a cellphone market at about 4 p.m., killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens. Witnesses and Red Cross officials said that as many as 50 or 60 people died, though the number could not be independently confirmed. Officials accused Boko Haram in the attacks.

7 Boko Haram militants killed in a clash with Chadian security forces

Yesterday Wednesday August 5th, 7 Boko Haram militants were killed by security forces in part of a two-week campaign on the lake that borders Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon, a security source says.

"Boko Haram fighters in boats opened fire on our forces on the island of Tchoukou Dallah. Seven of their fighters were killed and there were others wounded," said the security source.

On July 30th, 117 Boko Haram men were killed in the first part of the two-week military campaign.

Their boats and weapons were also seized and destroyed. Two Chadian soldiers died and several wounded, according to Colonel Azem Bermandoa, spokesman for the Chadian army.

Boko Haram Chief Recruiter Arrested (PICTURED)

Bana Fanaye also known as Mahamat Moustapha, Boko Haram recruiter

Mahamat Moustapha, said to be the mastermind of Boko Haram operations in Chad and northern Cameroon, has been arrested by authorities in Chad.

Assorted weapons, as well as cell phone SIM cards for various countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were recovered from his residence, Cameroon Journal reports.

Bana Fanaye is said to be the brain behind most Boko Haram operations including arms purchases in 

Chad and northern Cameroon. He was arrested on Friday afternoon.

U.S. to trace Nigerian stolen assets, boost military help

The United States will offer to help Nigeria's new leader track down billions of dollars in stolen assets and increase U.S. military assistance to fight Islamic militants, U.S. officials said, as Washington seeks to "reset" ties with Africa's biggest economy.

President Muhammadu Buhari visit to the US is viewed by the U.S. administration as a chance to set the seal on improving ties since he won a March election hailed as Nigeria's first democratic power transition in decades.

U.S. cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had virtually ground to a halt over issues including his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.

"President Barack Obama has long seen Nigeria as arguably the most important strategic country in sub-Saharan Africa," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken told Reuters. "The question is would there be an opportunity to deepen our engagement and that opportunity is now."

The improving ties with Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer, come as U.S. relations have cooled with two other traditional Africa powers - Egypt and South Africa.

Photos: Over 500 Nigerian refugees return from Chad

Over 500 Nigerian refugees returned to Nigeria from Chad yesterday night. They were received by NEMA officials. 

More photos after the cut...

15 Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Niger

Fifteen Boko Haram fighters were killed and 20 others arrested by Defence and Security Forces (FDS) during clashes that occurred in Diffa region of Niger near the Nigerian border, defence ministry announces.

A statement revealed on Thursday in Niamey that FDS launched ground and air operations in the area, in retaliation to the attack carried out on June 17, in Gueskerou commune by the Islamist sect, killing 38 civilians.

Mustapha Ledru, Spokesman for Niger’s Defence ministry, said that 15 terrorists had been killed, 20 others arrested, one armoured vehicle recovered and 20 motorcycles destroyed during the latest army operation.

Chad bans use of full-face veil after Boko Haram multiple bomb blasts

Chadian government has banned the use of full-face Muslim veil throughout the country following Monday's twin bomb blast that killed 27 people at the country's police headquarter.

Announcing the ban while speaking to religious leaders yesterday June 17th, the Chadian Prime Minister, Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet, said the government has ordered security forces to seize Burqas from markets and burn them immediately.

 "Wearing the burqa must stop immediately from today, not only in public places and schools but throughout the whole of the country,"he said 

He added that any type of clothing that leaves only the eyes visible is a form of "camouflage" and is now banned. He said anyone found wearing a burqa would be "arrested, tried and sentenced in summary proceedings".

He asked religious leaders to spread the message in their mosques, churches and holy places.

Chad Carries Out Airstrikes On Boko Haram Hideouts In Nigeria

Chadian military have reportedly carried out airstrikes on Boko Haram hideouts in Nigeria in retaliation for the June 15th multiple bomb blast coordinated by the sect members on Chadian Police Headquarters in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital. 27 people, mostly cadets who were graduating from the police academy in the force headquarters died in the attack.

Nigeria Vs Chad:AFCON Qualifier Today By 4pm

The Confederation of African Football has picked Nigerien official Assoumane Moussa Gnali as referee for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Chad, scheduled for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday 13th June.

Moussa Gnali, who became an International Referee only this year, will be accompanied by countrymen Sadissou Idi (Assistant Referee 1), Abdoul Aziz Moctar Saley (Assistant Referee 2) and Gomno Daouda (Reserve Referee).

Gnali is 26, while Idi is 24 and Moctar is also 26. Gomno, who became an international referee since 2013, is 37.

Also read: Keshi opens camp with 26 home based players

CAF has also picked G. Andy Quamie, from Liberia, as Match Commissioner.

The Super Eagles confront the Chadians in the opener to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, with Egypt and Tanzania the other teams in Group G.

Boko Haram: Buhari Rejects 6-month Rotation of MNJTF Commander

 President Buhari today rejected the proposed rotation of the Commander of the Multi National Joint Task Force, a team of military officers drawn from Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria with the main objective of fighting against Boko Haram in the region. While addressing heads of government from these countries in Abuja this morning, Buhari said the rotation of the head of the commander of the MNJTF will undermine the capacity the military capacity to sustain the push against the insurgents.

President Buhari Receives The President of Niger Republic Muhamadou Issoufou For The Lake Chad Basing Commission Meeting.

Spain Judge Opens Terrorism Case Against Boko Haram on May 28, 2015 at 2:39 pm

A Spanish High Court judge said Thursday he has agreed to hear a lawsuit against Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram and its leader Abubakar Shekau for crimes against humanity and terrorism.

Judge Fernando Andreu ruled he was competent to handle the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction — which allows courts to try certain atrocities committed in other countries — because the case concerns a Spanish nun who is a victim of the group.

Spanish public prosecutors accused Boko Haram in its lawsuit of “harassing” and “putting pressure” on the nun in March 2013 in Nigeria as part of “a generalised context of actions of a terrorist nature by the jihadist organisation”.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in Nigeria during a six-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic caliphate. It has also staged cross-border attacks in Chad, Cameroon and Niger.