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Women in Maiduguri are spearheading a community‑driven peace initiative that aims to steer teenagers away from the violent “Marlians” gangs that have plagued the city for years.Grassroots Women‑Led Dialogue Replaces Pure Security CrackdownsFrom 2018 to 2021, the Unified Members for Women Advancement (UMWA), with support from Conciliation Resources, began holding bi‑weekly dialogue sessions with gang leaders in ten volatile neighbourhoods. The approach shifted the narrative from treating gang members solely as a security problem to viewing them as potential peace advocates.Local women trained to run weekly peace‑awareness programmes on Sundays.Community groups such as the Ajilari Cross Development Association and the Gomari Development Association expanded mediation efforts.Former gang members, including Mohammed Abdulhamid, now lead groups that publicly renounce violence.Scale of the Crisis: Injuries, Displacements, and Gang NumbersThe backdrop to the peace effort is stark:UN estimates more than 35,000 deaths and over 2 million displaced persons across the Lake Chad region.In 2023, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum ordered a widescale crackdown after deadly clashes.Community leaders estimate that over 1,000 gang members have passed through the dialogue circles, though independent verification is lacking.Shifting Community Dynamics in Borno StateWomen‑led peace circles have begun to change local power balances. Formerly feared gang members are now mediators, and residents report a reduction in street‑level robberies and weapon‑related assaults. However, the gains remain fragile; former members still face threats from rival factions, and the absence of a formal reintegration framework leaves many vulnerable to relapse.Future of the Peace Circles Amid Funding GapsDonor fatigue is eroding the financial base of the initiative. Organisers often cover meeting costs out of pocket, and without sustained funding the mediation programmes risk collapse. Analysts like Hassana Ibrahim Waziri warn that continued patience, local ownership, and renewed investment are essential to prevent a resurgence of gang violence and to cement the nascent peace.

A devastating air strike by the Nigerian military on a village market in northeastern Nigeria has killed dozens and injured hundreds, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. The strike, which occurred on Sunday, was aimed at members of the rebel group Boko Haram.According to Amnesty International, over 100 people were killed and 35 others wounded in the attack on the Jilli village market in Yobe state. A local chief, Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, reported that the total casualties, including dead and injured, were around 200.The Nigerian Air Force claimed to have killed Boko Haram fighters in an air strike on the Jilli axis in Borno state, but did not mention hitting a market. The government of Yobe state later confirmed that an air strike near a market had been conducted, affecting people attending the weekly market.Amnesty International condemned the strike, stating that launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method and that the Nigerian military's actions demonstrate a shocking disregard for human life. The organization called on Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the incident and hold suspected perpetrators accountable.The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) activated the emergency response, and many of the injured were taken to hospitals in nearby Geidam and Maiduguri. A worker at the Geidam General Hospital reported that at least 23 people injured in the incident were receiving treatment.