TheNewsGuru

Tag: Borno State

  • Constitutional review : Borno, Yobe reject state police, additional States

    Constitutional review : Borno, Yobe reject state police, additional States

    Borno and Yobe States have rejected calls for the creation of additional states, local councils and state police in the country.

    The states made their positions known in separate presentations at the ongoing public hearing on the 1999 constitutional review held on Wednesday, in Bauchi.

    Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawan, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, said the state was opposed to the creation states and state police.

    “Borno State is already devastated for now. We don’t need additional states and local government councils, because some of the councils just bear names without people.

    “So, there is no need for the creation of state and local governments out of the present Borno State,” he said.

    Lawan stressed that Borno was also not in need of a state police, because it already had the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which had been effective in enhancing security in the state.

    He, however, advocated for gender equality and increased women participation and other vulnerable persons in governance.

    In his submission, Mr Saleh Samanja, the Yobe state Attorney General, who corroborated earlier opinions, advocated the retention of the existing states and local councils’ structure.

    “We recommend that the existing number of states and local governments in the country be maintained and strengthened.

    “Taking into consideration that even the existing ones are not adequately funded, to execute viable developmental projects, not to even talk of creating additional ones,” he said.

    Samanja said Yobe State strongly opposed the establishment of state police as canvassed in some quarters.

    “The state police can be abused for political reasons and create more insecurity, rather, measures should be put in place to encourage Community Policing under strict supervision,” he said.

    However, Alhaji Sabiu Baba, Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG), said the State was clamouring for the creation of additional states and local councils.

    He noted that some states with a much lower population and land mass than Bauchi, already had more local government councils.

    Baba said the state was, therefore, strongly in support of the creation of a state and additional local governments out of the present Bauchi state

    The SSG said the state was also in support of the establishment of state police, so as to reduce over-dependence of the state governors on federal law enforcement agencies.

    He equally disclosed that the state was in support of gender equality and women participation in decision making and governance.

  • Gov Zulum reshuffles cabinet, redeploys Commissioners

    Gov Zulum reshuffles cabinet, redeploys Commissioners

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has effected a ‘minor’ cabinet reshuffle, redeploying three commissioners.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Danjuma Ali on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

    Ali said the Commissioner for Animal Resources and Fisheries Development, Juliana Bitrus moves to the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Lawan Walama moves to the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries Development.

    He also said that the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kaka-Shehu Lawan is to oversee the Ministry of Environment.

    In another development, Gov. Zulum has approved the reconstitution of the board of the Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency with Ahmed Tijani as Chairman.

    Ali, said that Gov. Zulum also approved the appointment of Dr Joseph Jatau as Chairman of the Borno Hospital Management Board with immediate effect.

    Also appointed with immediate effect is Abubakar Suleiman as Acting General Manager of Borno Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA).

    In the same vein, he said, in accordance with section nine (9) sub-section one (1) of Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency Law, 2013, the governor has approved the appointment of Dr Abba Goni as Executive Director State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

  • Troops subdue Boko Haram terrorists in battle for heart of Borno LGA

    Troops subdue Boko Haram terrorists in battle for heart of Borno LGA

    …recover anti aircraft gun barrel, different calibres of ammunition

    Nigerian Army troops of the newly reinvigorated Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted Boko Haram terrorist’s attempt to infiltrate Rann town, the capital of Kala Balge LGA of Borno State.

    Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director Army Public Relations made this known in a statement on Monday, saying the incident occurred on 1 May 2021.

    He stated that the terrorists in their numbers attempted to disrupt the peace that has been enjoyed by the border town but were met with stiff resistance as the troops in the area took them on a fierce fire fight which lasted about an hour.

    “The terrorists withdrew in disarray with a large number of them suffering fatal injuries leaving behind several weapons and ammunition including anti aircraft gun barrel, AK 47 rifle, hand held communication radio and different calibres of ammunition.

    “In a related development, on 2 May 2021, another band of Boko Haram Terrorists on a criminal mission attacked Ajiri town of Konduga LGA of Borno State.

    “The terrorists having reached part of the town initially burnt 9 houses and killed some innocent residents before they were engaged by the troops deployed in the area.

    “The retreating terrorists went away with various degrees of gun shot injuries while the gallant troops are on their chase. Unfortunately however, 2 personnel paid the supreme price in the resulting encounter,” the statement reads.

  • Easter: Zulum lauds tolerance between Christians, Muslims in Borno

    Easter: Zulum lauds tolerance between Christians, Muslims in Borno

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has felicitated with Christians in the state over Easter, lauding the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the state despite efforts to cause friction by insurgents.

    Zulum, in a statement by his Speacial Adviser on Media and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, urged Christians to use the season for sober reflection and imbibing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

    “A season like this which calls for deep and shared reflection on our lives in general, should remind us of not just the challenges we continually face, but also, to be grateful for some accomplishments we have made together as citizens with equal stakes in the Borno project.

    “For me, one great accomplishment recorded in Borno State is the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians across the 27 Local Government Areas despite being faced with all manner of inciting tactics deployed by those who wish to knock our heads.

    “I am immensely proud of the people of Borno for the religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in families, communities, schools, all our social and political gatherings, at Government institutions, private work places, markets and other business places, in our sporting activities and other aspects of our shared existence.

    “I thank and commend our traditional rulers, elders and religious leaders in both faith, for being role models for younger ones and for our children.

    “Indeed, I am proud of the religious peace we have, and I urge us all to continue to do whatever we can to nurture and preserve that precious harmony between us,” Zulum said.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to sustaining that bond of peace and lasting solution to insurgency.

    The governor, who also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Multinational Joint Task Force, and volunteers of the Civilian Joint Task Force, for their sacrifices towards peace in Borno, however urged them not to relent.

  • Massacre in Borno: Army engages Boko Haram in war of words

    Massacre in Borno: Army engages Boko Haram in war of words

    The Defence Headquarters has dismissed the claim by the Boko Haram terrorists that the recent massacre of rice farmers in Borno was retaliation for the arrest of one of them.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving update on the operations of the armed forces between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 on Thursday in Abuja.

    The terrorist group had on Tuesday released a video claiming that the terrorists carried out the massacre in retaliation for the arrest of one of them by the farmers.

    They also claimed that the farmers had also given information on their movement in the area to the military.

    Enenche said the claim was the practice of the sect with the sole motive of instigating fear in the minds of the people to discourage them from cooperating with the security agencies.

    He said that the information received by the military from one of the survivors revealed that the farmers were called for a meeting with the terrorists on the sad day before they were slaughtered.

    “The truth is that whenever they are losing ground as a result of the military activities, this is what they resort to.

    “It is a fallacy that because we killed one of them and that the farmers gave information about them; but the likelihood is wickedness.

    “They want to use that to instill fear in the minds of the people because they have seen the governor trying to make sure that people return to their homes,” he said.

    Enenche said the claim was the usual propaganda of the terrorist, adding that it is one of their major weapons.

    “Our message here to the general public is that they should not be discouraged and that we are moving forward and with your cooperation we are going to end this menace,” he said.

    Enenche said the military had sustained its onslaught against the terrorists through both ground and air offensives across the theatre of operation.

    He said the troops had raided some of the identified hideouts of the terrorists killing scores during the week and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.

  • Insecurity: Reps summon Buhari to explain why BH still persists

    Insecurity: Reps summon Buhari to explain why BH still persists

    …as Reps rebuff attempt to sweep summon under the carpet

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before the House to explain why insurgency has remained unabated in the North East and general security problems across the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG ) reports made the summon following a motion on an urgent need to condemn and investigate the insane killing of unarmed farmers in Jere Local Government of Borno State.

    The motion which was sponsored by Borno lawmakers scaled through after over one hour debate as lawmakers ensured that attempts by leadership of the House to block the motion were repelled.

    The motion was promoted by Hon. Ahmed Satomi, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Hon. Zainab Gimba, Hon. Muktar Betara, Hon. Mallam Bukar Gana, Hon. Haruna Mshelia, Hon. Ahmadu Usman Jaha, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Bukar, Hon. Usman Zannah, Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis

    Read full motion below:

    The House:

    Pained that more than 43 people were killed in an “insane” and barbaric attack of rice farmers in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday 28th November 2020;

    Troubled that the attackers tied up agricultural labourers working in rice fields and slit their throats in Zabarmari village Jere Local Government near Maiduguri, in Borno State;

    Disturbed that some of the victims were labourers from other States of the Federation who had travelled to work on the rice farm fields in Borno State;

    Worried that the exact number of people killed in the incident is not yet known as over 44 dead bodies were recovered buried, all of them slaughtered, along with six others with serious injuries and many more residents are reported missing;

    Recognizes that at the funeral of the victims on Sunday 29th November, 2020 the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, statted that “Our people are in very difficult situations, they are in two different extreme conditions: in one side, [if] they stay at home, they may be killed by hunger and starvation; on the other, they go out to their farmlands and risk getting killed by the insurgents.”;

    More worried by the inability of the Military and Security Forces in averting the continued wanton killings by Book Haram insurgents, bandits, and terrorists in the North East and across the country;

    Aware that President Muhammadu Buhari has condemn the senseless killing of several hard-working farmers by terrorists as the entire country is hurt by the dastard;

    Also aware of the urgent need for the President and Commander of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reorganize the security architecture of the country to end insurgency in the North East, banditry and all acts of terrorism across the nation.

    Resolves to:

    Invite President Muhammadu Buhari, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to brief the House of Representatives on the True State of the Security of the Nation;

    Condemn the killing of unarmed civilian farmers at Zabarmari village Jere Local Government near Maiduguri, in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday 28th November, 2020;

    Observe a minute silence in honour of the victims of the incidents that lost their lives.

  • What I actually said on BBC in Hausa – Garba Shehu

    What I actually said on BBC in Hausa – Garba Shehu

    Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has tried to clarify what he said about the Zambari massacre that happened in Borno State.

    Shehu said he was only trying to answer a question he was asked in Hausa on a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programme, which he said was: did the security sign off on the area as being free of mines and terrorists?

    “The honest answer is, no,” he said, adding that much of where people go in the area are governed by the exigencies of security.

    “Today, I found myself leading the trends in the social media for the wrong reasons.

    “The State of Borno is essentially a military zone up till now that we are talking and much of what people do; much of where they go are governed by the exigencies of security.

    “Routinely, traders, administration officials and even UN agencies get the green light to go to many of the areas to avoid trouble.

    “Information from security agencies says that the Zabarmari marshlands are infested with land mines and movements in around those areas subject to military oversight.

    “No one is delighted with the massacre in Zabarmari and there is nothing anybody will gain by playing blame games.

    “The question I tried to answer on BBC was: did the security sign off on the area as being free of mines and terrorists? The honest answer is, no.

    “I’m human with tons of compassion and empathy, and could not have said that the victims deserved their fate for ignoring security clearance.

    “I was merely explaining the mode of military operations in the war zone of the Northeast.

    “There are areas that are still volatile that require security clearance which is intended to put people out of harm’s way.

    “When tragedies occur, questions arise in terms of how something happened in order to avoid future recurrence.

    “Informing the military of our movements in an area of volatility and uncertainty is intended to preserve public safety.

    “Explaining why something happened doesn’t mean I have no sympathy for the victims.

    “I was just explaining the military procedures on the safe movement of the people and not supporting the death of the victims,” he said.

  • Killings: Military blames civilians for unending insecurity in North East

    Killings: Military blames civilians for unending insecurity in North East

    The Nigerian military has blamed civilians for the unending insecurity in the North Eastern part of the country.

    Military spokesman, Major-General John Enenche on Monday said civilians hoarding information are making its security operations in the region less effective.

    The military said while residents do not give them information on activities of insurgents, some of them work as informants to bandits and terrorists.

    In an interview, Enenche said the local residents are reducing the military’s effectiveness to combat the insecurity because they do not provide relevant information.

    “That (information) has been our worry,” said. “It’s a concern to us. You need a guide, you need information. Will they tell us? That’s a question that we have to ask. Yes, sometimes. And most times, no.

    “And that was one of the issues we have been ensuring to overcome, with civil-military cooperation activities, reaching out to them, even sending people by proxy to talk to them,” Enenche said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

    About 43 rice farmers were killed in a deadly assault in Borno on Saturday by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Koshebe village in the Jere Local Government Area of Borno.

    The farmers were buried on Sunday amid wailing and tears by residents of the community.

    The farmers were killed at about 11 a.m. as they harvested rice on their farms.

    The incident is the latest in the unrelenting killing of farmers in the North-East by Boko Haram insurgents, who have been campaigning for a strict Islamic code since 2009.

    While the killings and other security challenges continue in the region, the military said their operations have been successful except for the cooperation of locals.

    “Our patrols will pass through a route, in a village. By the time you are going, some people are looking at you. When you are coming back, the next thing is that you meet an IED planted on the road. And people saw them, they won’t tell you. So that’s the area I think we are all working together as stakeholders,” Enenche said.

    “And it is not possible to force information out of people. It’s not possible, just like they say you force a horse to the river, but not to drink water.”

    He said the military is trying to do is to build confidence in the people that they can subsequently confide in the security operatives to curb insurgency activities.

    Borno State governor and other governors in the northern region have condemned the killing and called for improved security architecture in the north.

  • Killing of farmers in Borno is barbaric – Lawan

    Killing of farmers in Borno is barbaric – Lawan

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has condemned the killing on Saturday of rice farmers by terrorists in Zabarmari in Borno State.

    Lawan decried the incident as another act of barbarism against innocent Nigerians minding their own business.

    The Senate President condoles with the families of the victims, Government and people of Borno State over the senseless carnage.

    “This incident is heart-rending and again demonstrates why we must all continue to support the security forces to thwart the criminals in their evil determination to impose a reign of terror on the North East of Nigeria.

    “I commiserate with the families of the deceased, Governor Babagana Zulum and the entire people of Borno State and assure them of the sympathy and solidarity of the National Assembly.

    “This heinous crime is particularly sad given the ongoing spirited efforts by the Federal Government at ensuring food security in Nigeria through the many programmes that have been put in place to support the agriculture sector.

    “I urge the security agencies to redouble their efforts with a view to bringing an end to mindless violent crimes in our country,” Lawan said.

    The Senate President said the National Assembly will continue to support the Executive in strengthening the security agencies towards improving the security of lives and property of Nigerians everywhere in the country.

  • Photos: Tears as Gov Zulum leads residents to bury farmers killed By Boko Haram

    Photos: Tears as Gov Zulum leads residents to bury farmers killed By Boko Haram

    Tears flowed in Jere local government area of Borno State as Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Sunday morning led kinsmen and other residents at Zabarmari for the funeral of 43 farmers killed by Boko Haram terrorists.

    At least forty farmers were killed on Saturday morning around Marrabati and Hammayya villages, near Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The farmers were waylaid on their way to their rice farms which they were harvesting before the surprise attack happened.

    Some other farmers were also taken away by the criminals.