Since Nigeria's army began clearing areas of the country's northeast from Boko Haram, some internally displaced people have started returning home. But thousands could now face severe food shortages as reconstruction is delayed. Some trade has resumed in towns, but ghostly pockets and haunting reminders of the insurgent takeover are evident. Three months after the fighting ended, the smell of rotting corpses still clings to the air by the Church of the Brethren near Mararaba. People have returned to Adamawa province, but health clinics, banks and schools are still lacking and vast stretches of farmland stand barren. People are afraid and lack the equipment and manpower to farm, so for the moment they can’t live off the land. There is no sign of government aid. The rainy season comes next month and landmines are still dotted around. About a week ago a bomb exploded when people went to clear the land.

Pray: for those who have returned to devastation to receive help and much needed support. (Ps.118:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/boko.haram.survivors.now.face.severe.food.shortages/53684.htm

Last week Prayer-Alert reported the release of 234 women and girls from Boko Haram. The total number of hostages released in the past few days has risen to 700. This marks a revival of fortunes for Nigeria’s military. More hostages have been freed in the past few weeks than in the past six years of the Boko Haram insurgency. This is due to the military receiving vital equipment and more support from the Nigerian people, who gave valuable information to track down the insurgents. Getting the Nigerian people on the side of the army would have been unlikely a few months back, given the military's appalling human rights record in the north east. The imminent arrival of Muhammadu Buhari as President has piloted a new sense of confidence. The former military strongman has vowed to crush the Muslim extremists. As the assault on Boko Haram’s stronghold continues it is hoped more victims will be released.

Pray: for adequate treatment to be put in place to deal with cases of post-traumatic stress disorder.(1Pe.5:7)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201505030230.html

Lagos’ Governor Babatunde Fashola said on Tuesday that the 2015 general election campaigns almost divided Lagos along ethnic line and civil service administration. This comment came as the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, urged the civil servants in the state to continue giving support to his incoming team in order to continue the work in the state.  Fashola said that the task ahead is daunting both at the national and state level and noted that 2015 election campaigns recorded unprecedented hype compared to previous elections in the country. ‘I have been involved in four elections, but in none of those elections have I seen a campaign that tried to divide our public service. I have never seen posters in front of the state secretariat that distorted the reality of our condition in service’.

Pray: that the new Governor will run an open administration that would thrive on the contributions of residents from different backgrounds but who are united with the best interests of the state at their heart. (Ps.110:1)
More: www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/2015-election-campaigns-almost-divided-lagos-fashola/

Nigeria's President-elect Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday, ‘The fraud called Boko Haram can be defeated by denying it a recruitment base. No religion allows for the killing of children in school dormitory, in markets and places of worship. They have nothing to do with religion. They are terrorists and we are going to deal with them as they deal with terrorists anywhere.’ Buhari said Boko Haram will be denied a recruitment base.  He lamented the destruction of schools in northern Nigeria, an action he said could deny thousands of youngsters access to education and a better future unless something is done urgently to end the crisis. Meanwhile on Wednesday the Nigeria army rescued nearly 300 females from Boko Haram.  An army spokesman says the hostages freed during military offensive are not schoolgirls abducted from Chibok last year. For the full story go to:-

Pray: that God will use the new government successfully to implement change and pave the way for more hostages to be released. (Ps.121:5)
More: http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/news/201504/240244.php

Incumbent Goodluck Jonathan phoned former military leader Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday to concede defeat in Nigeria's presidential elections, he then followed the phone call with a written statement to his countrymen. Jonathan’s speedy action and words have hopefully prevented violent protests breaking out after calls for calm from the two main candidates and a warning by the United States and Britain against political interference amid earlier claims of vote-rigging and voter intimidation. ‘I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word,’ Mr Jonathan said. A spokesman for Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress party said, ‘Mr Jonathan will remain a hero for this move. The tension will go down dramatically.’ After a close election there will be many who are unhappy with this outcome but ‘democracy is deepening in Nigeria’ even though the poll has revealed dangerous religious and regional differences - violence still threatens.

Pray: for calm celebrations without supporters attacking opponents, so that Nigeria’s deepening democracy may be a tonic to other countries in Africa. Pray for God to move the heart of and speak through Mr Buhari (2 Ch 36:22)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-32139858

  1. NCEF: POST ELECTION STATEMENT
  2. NIGERIA: A BARNACLES ENCRUSTED SHIP
  3. WHAT IS GOD SAYING THROUGH THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION?
  4. NIGERIA's ELECTIONS: WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED

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