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Jihadists kill 40 Mali civilians caught up in turf War

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Photo used to illustrate the story. A market is pictured in Bamako on February 1, 2022. PHOTO: FLORENT VERGNES / AFP

An Islamic State-linked group killed around 40 civilians this week who were caught up in a rivalry between warring jihadist groups in Mali’s conflict-plagued north, local sources told AFP on Friday.

The latest bloodshed in the Sahel country, which has been struggling to counter a grinding Islamist insurgency since 2013, comes as France said it would withdraw its forces after disagreements with the ruling military junta.

“There are at least 40 civilian deaths in three different sites” in the Tessit area near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger, a civilian official in the area told AFP.

The official, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, said the death toll was provisional because the information was patchy and coming in slowly from the remote and dangerous area.

“These civilians had been accused by one (jihadist) group of complicity with the other group,” the official said.

Two Tessit residents, based in the regional capital Gao and national capital Bamako, confirmed to AFP the scale of the violence after speaking with witnesses who had fled the carnage.

A spokesman for a group of armed northern militias reported a similar death toll.

Tessit is in the “three borders” area, a hotspot of jihadist violence.

The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) and the Sahel’s largest jihadist alliance, the al-Qaeda-aligned GSIM group, are particularly active in the area.

As well as attacking local and foreign troops, they have been fighting each other for territory since 2020.

 

– Civilians ensnared in rivalry –

Tessit, a rural area in the Gao region, has seen an outbreak of violence in recent weeks, with the hashtag #JeSuisTessit (I am Tessit) appearing on social media.

It has been cut off from the telephone network for several years, making communication difficult.

Three local sources including the northern militia spokesman, said that GSIM fighters went to several villages near Tessit, including Keygourouten, Bakal and Tadjalalt, between February 8 to 10.

Accusing the local shopkeepers of supplying their rival EIGS, the GSIM fighters ransacked a health centre, a pharmacy, a water tower and a shop, as well as stealing an ambulance.

The GSIM fighters also ordered the residents to leave. Between 150 and 200 households fled to Niger and surrounding towns, an aid worker and Tadjalalt residents said on condition of anonymity.

Then on Monday and Tuesday, EIGS fighters arrived in the same villages.

“They accused the men of being accomplices of GSIM. They killed the old men and the young men,” the official in the Tessit area said.

Thirty were executed in Tadjalalt, the official said.

It is a common scenario, the official added, saying that “when a (jihadist) group passes through a village, the one that comes later accuses the residents of being accomplices”.

The residents of the villages, who are “unable to kill a fly”, thus become caught up in the rivalry.

Mali’s ruling junta, which seized power in a coup in 2020 after rising public outrage about elected leaders’ inability to stem the jihadist bloodshed, has yet to speak about the Tessit violence.

The forces deployed to the three borders area include the national army as well as French and European troops and UN peacekeepers.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that he was withdrawing his nation’s troops which had been fighting jihadists in Mali since 2014.

 

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Oyo: Oseni Celebrates Dotun Sanusi, Lauds Contributions to Society

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Ibadan-born businessman and philanthropist, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, on his 58th birthday, commending his contributions to enterprise, youth development and community advancement.

In a birthday message issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on Sanusi’s entrepreneurial journey and commitment to using personal achievements to advance the common good. He wished the celebrant good health, renewed strength and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

Oseni noted that Sanusi’s transition from petroleum engineering to business and investments across various sectors demonstrated the value of vision, perseverance and strategic thinking. He said the businessman’s career reflected how identifying opportunities beyond conventional professional boundaries could drive business success, stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for others.

The APC chieftain particularly commended Sanusi’s investments in hospitality, agriculture, education and sports, including Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ilaji Farms and the International College of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST). He noted that such investments could stimulate economic activities, generate employment and support community development, particularly by providing young people with opportunities to acquire skills and pursue productive ventures.

According to Oseni, the significance of entrepreneurial success extends beyond the businesses established and wealth accumulated to the opportunities created and lives positively impacted. He said Sanusi’s investments and initiatives demonstrated the importance of private enterprise in supporting economic development and improving livelihoods.

“Chief Dotun Sanusi’s birthday provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of enterprise and the importance of investing in people. Businesses become more meaningful when they create jobs, support education and open doors for others to fulfil their potential. These are important contributions to society, and I wish him continued success in his endeavours,” he said.

The lawmaker also acknowledged Sanusi’s philanthropic engagements and commitment to youth development, stressing that sustainable progress required deliberate investment in education, skills acquisition and initiatives that promoted self-reliance.

He added that government alone could not meet every developmental need, making responsible private-sector participation and community-focused interventions essential to improving livelihoods.

Oseni further recognised Sanusi’s involvement in Ibadan’s traditional institution and his connection to Yoruba cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and values, noting that cultural influence was more meaningful when accompanied by service, peaceful coexistence and a commitment to the welfare of the people. He also urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Sanusi’s journey by embracing hard work, discipline, continuous learning and patience in pursuing their ambitions.

The lawmaker prayed for God’s continued protection over Sanusi and his family, wishing him many more years of good health, wisdom and fulfilment. He expressed the hope that the businessman would continue to expand his investments, support initiatives that improve lives and contribute to the economic and social development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.

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‘Senators Are Not Governors, Council Chairmen’ – Oseni Explains Legislative Responsibilities

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has called on Nigerians to elect competent and accountable lawmakers, urging voters to understand the constitutional responsibilities of senators ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oseni warned that misconceptions about the role of senators could undermine effective political representation, particularly when lawmakers are judged primarily by their ability to provide infrastructure, tackle poverty or distribute money to constituents rather than their performance in lawmaking, oversight and representation.

He spoke on Thursday at a political conference organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ido Local Government Chapter, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The conference, themed “The Importance of Senatorial Governance and Representation in a Federal Democratic System,” brought together Christian leaders, political stakeholders, professionals, traditional rulers, youths and women to discuss the role of the Senate in Nigeria’s democratic development.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, identified three major challenges confronting senatorial representation: the election of unsuitable candidates, the failure of some elected senators to discharge their responsibilities effectively, and widespread misconceptions about the office.

He said these challenges underscored the need for greater public awareness of the constitutional duties of senators.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) cautioned against holding senators solely responsible for youth unemployment, poverty, inadequate infrastructure and other development challenges without considering the respective responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.

He also faulted the expectation that senators should routinely return from Abuja with large sums of money to distribute among their constituents.

“A senator is neither the Chief Executive of a senatorial district nor a replacement for the Governor or Local Government Chairman,” Oseni said.

He explained that the primary responsibilities of senators included making laws, conducting legislative oversight, representing their constituents’ interests and advocating policies, projects and programmes capable of improving their welfare.

According to him, effective representation goes beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly, as senators are expected to serve as a link between their constituents and the Federal Government.

He added that their responsibilities included influencing national policies, advocating development projects, facilitating access to legitimate federal programmes and ensuring that the concerns of their constituencies received adequate attention in national decision-making.

“A senator is the people’s voice at the federal level,” he said, stressing that effective representation required ensuring that constituents’ concerns were heard and considered in decisions affecting the country.

Oseni described the Senate as a critical institution in Nigeria’s federal democratic system, given its responsibilities for lawmaking, accountability and national development. He noted that the choice of a senator had implications not only for the immediate interests of a constituency but also for the country’s broader political and developmental direction.

He said the CAN conference provided an opportunity to promote informed political participation, correct misconceptions about legislative responsibilities and encourage voters in Oyo South to make informed choices ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC chieftain urged voters to assess senatorial candidates based on their understanding of the legislative process, commitment to constituency representation, ability to scrutinise government policies and willingness to hold public institutions accountable.

He maintained that a better understanding of the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities would enable voters to set realistic expectations, demand accountability and evaluate their elected representatives more effectively.

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‎Oyo South: Sheikh Olafimihan Hails Oseni for N10m Inyass House Donation

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The APC Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni

‎Fadilat Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Olafimihan, the Balogun Faiydah of Yoruba Land, has commended  the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, for donating N10m towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House in Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan.

‎Olafimihan, who organised a programme at the religious centre on Tuesday, said the donation was appreciated by the Inyass Unity Organisation, which is affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria.

Oseni, who represents the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), attended the event, where he made the donation towards the development of the facility.

In a letter of appreciation dated October 13, 2026, the organisation thanked the lawmaker for his presence and financial support.

The letter partly read, “On behalf of the Inyass Unity Organization affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria, we sincerely appreciate your presence and generous donation at the event held at Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House, Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan, on October 13, 2026.”

The organisation specifically acknowledged the N10m contribution, stating that the money was donated towards the development of the religious centre.

“We are deeply grateful for your donation of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira Only) towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House,” the letter added.

‎Olafimihan also offered prayers for the lawmaker, asking Allah to reward him for his contribution and grant him success in his public service.

‎“May Almighty Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly and grant you success in your service to humanity,” the letter stated.

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