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May 12
Nigeria: Boko Haram’s First Major Uprising Foiled in Borno (2004)
What happened: On May 12, 2004, Nigerian security forces intercepted Boko Haram militants during a planned attack in Borno State.
How and why: The group had been radicalizing youth in the northeast, preaching against Western education and planning attacks.
Aftermath: The foiled attempt exposed growing extremism, but authorities underestimated the group’s future capacity for violence.
Sichuan Earthquake Devastates China, kills 87000 (2008)
What happened: A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck China’s Sichuan province, killing around 87,000 people.
How and why: A sudden rupture along the Longmenshan fault triggered the quake, toppling schools, buildings, and entire villages.
Aftermath: The disaster sparked a nationwide humanitarian response and criticism of corruption in building practices that worsened casualties.
Africa: Creation of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Proposed (2013)
What happened: On May 12, 2013, during an AU summit, the establishment of the Africa CDC was formally proposed.
How and why: The Ebola crisis revealed Africa’s lack of coordinated disease surveillance and emergency response.
Aftermath: Launched in 2017, the Africa CDC became instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic in vaccine coordination and public health advocacy.
