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	Nigeria declares state of emergency in troubled areas by UN News & agencies   17 May 2012   Alarm as Bombs target Nigerian primary schools. (Reuters)   Nigerian authorities found improvised bombs in two primary schools in the northern city of Kano on Thursday, hours after the schools were attacked using explosives and gunfire by suspected militants from Islamist sect Boko Haram.   Boko Haram is waging an insurgency against Nigeria''s government to try to impose stricter sharia (Islamic law) across Nigeria. It mostly targets authority figures and security forces, but has also struck civilians such as Christian worshippers.   It is regarded as the top security threat in Africa''s leading energy producer.   Blasts and gunfire were heard overnight in the Farawa and Sharada schools of downtown Kano, an ancient city that was a stopover on the trans-Sahara trade routes.   On Thursday, police found two unexploded bombs in one school and one in another.   The first known attacks by suspected sect members against schools were in March, when it burned down 10 schools in its heartland in northeastern Nigeria''s Borno state.   Boko Haram, which means "western education is sinful" is opposed to western influences in northern Nigeria, including in its schooling.   It rarely claims attacks, except the most high profile ones.   A spate of attacks last month, such as the killing of at least 15 people in a university theatre used for Christian worship, dampened hopes that recent arrests of its members had weakened it.   21 January 2012   UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned today the multiple attacks across the northern Nigerian city of Kano, which resulted in large-scale casualties and massive destruction to property.   According to media reports, an estimated 200 people were killed on Friday during a series of explosions targeting police buildings and immigration centres around the city.   Mr. Ban said he was “appalled at the frequency and intensity of recent attacks in Nigeria, which demonstrate a wanton and unacceptable disregard for human life.”   Mr. Ban voiced his solidarity with the Government and people of Nigeria, and expressed his hope for swift and transparent investigations into the attacks to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.   Mr. Ban also extended his sincere condolences to the people of Nigeria and to the bereaved families.   12 January 2012   UN human rights chief urges bold effort by Nigeria’s leaders to end sectarian violence.   The United Nations human rights chief today urged a bold effort by Nigeria’s political and religious leaders to halt the spiralling sectarian violence unleashed by a series of recent attacks by the Boko Haram group.   “It is essential that the country’s leadership, and especially its Muslim and Christian leaders, join forces to unequivocally condemn all violence, including retaliation, and encourage their followers to identify and help arrest all those involved in killings and other acts of violence that have been taking place,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a news release.   She urged the country’s leaders “to speak with one voice, and act resolutely to stop an already highly dangerous situation from spiralling out of control,” adding that the religious tolerance that has been a central tenet of the nation is being threatened.   It is essential that the country’s leadership, and especially its Muslim and Christian leaders, join forces to unequivocally condemn all violence.   “Everybody will be the loser if Boko Haram succeeds in its aim and efforts to sow discord between Muslim and Christian, or pit Northerner against Southerner,” she said. “The fact that people are already leaving some areas where they are in a minority, out of fear of attacks by the majority, shows just how dangerous this is becoming for the country as a whole. Anyone inciting violence or hatred must be held accountable, no matter who they are.”   Ms. Pillay also said it was vital that the security forces respect human rights, and avoid excessive use of force, when conducting operations so as not to stoke further tensions and resentment.   She also noted that members of Boko Haram and other groups and entities, “if judged to have committed widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population – including on grounds such as religion or ethnicity – could be found guilty of crimes against humanity.”   Deliberate acts leading to population “cleansing” on grounds of religion or ethnicity would also amount to a crime against humanity, she added.   In addition, the High Commissioner expressed concern about the recent loss of life during protests over the removal of fuel subsidies, and urged the authorities to carry out transparent independent, impartial and thorough investigations into the events.   “The Government of Nigeria has a duty to ensure all its security personnel avoid use of excessive force and to investigate whether or not all necessary precautions were taken before members of the security forces resorted to the use of live ammunition,” she said.   “At this critical juncture, the authorities at all levels need to earn the respect and support of the general public by scrupulously observing human rights, and showing they too are accountable for any excesses,” she added.   January 2012   Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in areas hit by violence blamed on Islamist sect Boko Haram, and ordered the closure of part of the country"s borders.   He announced the measures after saying Boko Haram was bent on destroying Africa"s most populous country. He vowed that the group blamed for a wave of bloody attacks would be brought to justice.   "While the search for lasting solutions is ongoing, it has become imperative to take some decisive measures necessary to restore normalcy in the country especially within the affected communities," Mr Jonathan said in a nationwide broadcast.   "Consequently, I have ... declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation."   The areas listed included parts of the states of Borno, where Boko Haram traditionally has its base, as well as Yobe, Niger and Plateau. The president also ordered the closure of the land borders of the affected areas to control "cross-border terrorist activities".   The borders affected included those in the north-east, where Nigeria shares frontiers with Cameroon, Niger and Chad.   Nigeria has been hit by scores of attacks blamed on Boko Haram, but a wave of Christmas Day bombings particularly targeting churches which killed at least 49 people set off fear and deep frustration nationwide.   The bombings included one at St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, where 44 people were killed as worshippers were leaving mass, according to the parish priest.   The latest wave of attacks also sparked fears of potential reprisals by Christians.   Christian leaders warned that they would be forced to defend themselves if the authorities did not address the spiralling violence.   Nigeria, Africa"s most populous nation with 160 million people and the continent"s largest oil producer, is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.   Hundreds of people have been killed this year alone in attacks blamed on Boko Haram. Most have been in the north-east, but it also claimed for the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja that killed at least 25 people.   25 December 2011   UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned today the attacks targeting churches in Nigeria, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries among civilians who had gathered for Christmas Day services.   In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed “his sympathy and condolences to the people of Nigeria and to the bereaved families who have lost loved ones.”   The bombings occurred in Madala, on the outskirts of Abuja, the Nigerian capital, the north-eastern city of Jos and Damatru.   “The Secretary-General calls once again for an end to all acts of sectarian violence in the country and reiterates his firm conviction that no objective sought can justify this resort to violence,” the statement said.   The Security Council also deplored the attacks and underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism to justice and urged all Sates to actively cooperate with the Nigerian authorities to this end.   In a statement issued to the press, the Council reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.”   Last month, at least 65 people were killed in the north-eastern cities of Damaturu and Potiskum after Islamist insurgents bombed churches, mosques and police stations and fought hours of gun battles with police.
	Living with conflict by War Child   In periods of insecurity, normally protective systems such as the family, community and religious institutions and rule of law can breakdown or mutate. With this erosion, the problems of social injustice, inequality, and marginalisation can become even more pronounced, yet there are fewer functioning mechanisms to help address them.   The impact of this societal breakdown can be suspension of essentials such as education, fragmented families, lost societal knowledge, and because of all this, a further entrenchment of poverty.   Courts stop working, social workers stop getting paid and families begin making survivalist priorities and breaking up. Mental health problems, psychosocial issues are highly connected to conflict and for those suffering, the breakdown of these support mechanisms and the stress of conflict on those around them can further endanger them and others. Already existing societal perspectives such as on the restrictions of women can very negatively impact women and their dependents ad lead to inequality in resource distribution.   Conflict-affected children   Children living within a conflict-affected place over a prolonged period of time may suffer from long term problems as well as displaying immediately visible symptoms. Living in a state of continual fear, dealing with bereavement, witnessing violent acts are just some of the events and elements which can induce adverse and worrying psychological reactions. With few “conflict-free” years, psychological stress is further exacerbated.   The irony is that children on the whole, show extraordinary resilience to the negative elements of their environment. This resilience is increased when their essential needs are met, and when further burdens such as income generation are taken off their shoulders.   Recruitment   Conflict can indirectly and directly affect children but it also involves them. Children can become conflict actors; involved with and fighting for armed groups. There are an estimated 250,000 child soldiers in the world today, 40% of them girls.   Whilst in many cases recruitment may be forced, there are many degrees of coercion and children who have been recruited or who have signed up voluntarily are often found to have been marginalised, independent from their family and were already involved in more hazardous enterprises.   We need to understand that becoming “wife” or soldier can appeal to children as a legitimate livelihood choice, and increasing the opportunities for young people is one means of reducing voluntary recruitment.   However, the psychological effects of being exposed to armed conflict at a young age can be grave for future prospects. Assisting with demobilisation and reintegration is crucial if we are to stop young people keeping from taking arms again, entering into demeaning/hazardous employment, or failing to make lasting relationships with peoplem. Visit the related web page
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