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Tag: Borno

  • 95% of Borno protesters underaged – Zulum

    95% of Borno protesters underaged – Zulum

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has alleged that 95 per cent of the youths that participated in Thursday’s violent protests in Maiduguri were children under 14 years.

    Zulum made this known in a broadcast to the people of Borno where he also declared the lifting of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state.

    Zulum said: “Over 95 per cent of those who participated in the so-called Thursday protests were children under 14 years. Most of them do not know why they are protesting.

    “A six- year-old child carrying a placard is amazing; he must have been directed by someone. Most of those children are not from Borno.

    “While we are not discouraging the Almajiri education, we must however have their teachers or guardians looking after them.”

    Zulum said that a situation where thousands of children were living in Maiduguri in the name of Almajiri without care from anyone needed to be looked into.

    He said that some of the actions of the hoodlums that hijacked the Maiduguri protests included the destruction and looting of public properties including hospitals.

    “In what could have been a major disaster, attempts were made by the hoodlums on several occasions to attack the Maiduguri Emergency Power Gas Plant, however, it was averted by our gallant security forces..

    “Violence has no place in our society and I implore citizens to reject any call to arms or act of aggression.

    “As we lift the curfew on Saturday, any person that engages in looting and violent activities will be dealt with accordingly,” Zulum said.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to positively transform the state, citing interventions in various sectors, particularly infrastructure, health and education.

    Zulum said: “We have distributed rounds of food and non food items palliatives within Maiduguri and other LGAs, scaled up our support to farmers through sales of fertiliser, and provided seeds and farm inputs to enhance food production.

    “We want to also invest in irrigation agriculture and livestock development.”

    NAN

  • Police discover 6 projectile grenades abandoned by terrorists in Borno

    Police discover 6 projectile grenades abandoned by terrorists in Borno

    The Borno Police Command said it has discovered six projectile grenades allegedly abandoned by terrorists at Ajilari Cross area in Maiduguri.

    The  Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Yusuf Lawal, who disclosed this on Saturday while providing a situation report to NAN in Maiduguri, said the projectiles were discovered on Friday.

    Lawal said that the personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Device(EOD), Base 13, deployed to the scene to assess the grenades discovered that they were manufactured with incendiary chemicals.

    He said that the affected area was thoroughly screened and the projectiles were recovered intact, rendering the area safe.

    “In a separate incident, 20 suspects were arrested for burning tyres and inciting disturbances in Maiduguri.

    ”They are currently under interrogation and investigation for transparent prosecution,”he said.

    Lawal explained that another violent incident occurred on the same day  in Bassam Galomari Village, Gubio II Ward, under Gubio Local Government Area.

    According to him,  Fulani herdsmen, carrying cows, allegedly entered a farm belonging to a local resident, leading to a confrontation.

    Lawal said, ”The farm owner attempted to remove the herdsmen from his property, but they resisted, and one of the Fulani men attacked the farmer, cutting both his hands.

    ”The victim was rushed to Gubio Hospital, where he was referred to Maiduguri Hospital for further treatment.

    He added that the security agencies have been mandated to respond to the situation with a view to resolving the crisis.

    Lawal said that the  security forces have remained on high alert, working to maintain public safety and prevent further incidents.

  • 2 dead as Boko Haram attacks Police barracks

    2 dead as Boko Haram attacks Police barracks

    The Borno Police Command on Sunday said two lives were lost as its  men repelled an attack by Boko Haram terrorists at Jakana Police Barracks in Konduga Local Government Area of the State.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahun Daso, who confirmed the incident in a statement released in Maiduguri said that the attack took place in the early  hours of Sunday.

    Daso said that  the swift response of the Police Mobile Force Officers attached to the Jakana Police Station repelled the assailants, preventing them from overrunning the police asset.

    He explained that two lives were tragically lost in the exchange of fire.

    “They included  a police officer and a civilian woman. Additionally, a police patrol vehicle was burnt down during the incident.

    “The Commissioner of Police in Borno, CP Yusufu  Lawal, has extended his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that a discreet investigation has commenced.

    ”Security measures have also been taken to prevent further attacks,”he said.

  • Policeman shoots father to death in Borno

    Policeman shoots father to death in Borno

    A Maiduguri based police sergeant has shot his father to death in the Tudu area of the Maduganari community behind the Borno State Police Command headquarters in Maiduguri.

    The officer identified as Linus Wadzani was reported to have shot his father multiple times.

    Findings show that he is a Mobile Police personnel with Mopol 6, Maiduguri, and serves as a security detail at the Borno State House of Assembly.

    Kenneth Daso, the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on Monday briefed pressmen on how the incident happened.

    According to Daso, the deceased was a retired assistant superintendent of police.

    He said the deceased served at the state command with the Mounted Unit.

    Narrating how the incident happened, Daso said Sergeant Linus got home at about 4:30 pm on Sunday and had a heated argument with the father.

    This led him to fire him multiple times with an AK-47 rifle, resulting in his instant death.

    He added that  when police officers visited the compound of the deceased identified as Wadzani Natsiri, a family member disclosed that when Linus got home, there was no one except the father as such no one could give an account of what transpired.

    However, the spokesman said a police patrol team calmed the situation when they received a distress call.

    He said on interrogation, Sergeant Linus confessed to being under the influence of alcohol and other hard substances.

    According to him, a forensic team from the command has been assembled and blood samples of the sergeant collected to determine his mental status. An investigation has begun into the homicide, he said.

  • We have successfully overcome Boko-haram attacks in Borno – Commissioner

    We have successfully overcome Boko-haram attacks in Borno – Commissioner

    Mr Usman Tar, Borno Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, says the state has successfully overcome the negative impact of the Boko-Haram attacks, urging the media to report accurately.

    Tar said this at a two-day workshop on Addressing Patterns of Violence, Injustice and Criminality in Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that the workshop was organised by International Alert Nigeria with the support of the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security.

    The commissioner said that journalist and media organisations must refrain from projecting the state based on past events and begin to report the true position of its activities.

    “The media is still trapped in the old narrative of Borno being the home of insurgence, but all this has changed; our 27 local governments are fully controlled by the federal forces.

    “There is freedom of movement, our transportation is booming, our agriculture is booming and everything is working.

    “This narrative needs to be carried by the media and that is what I mean by journalist not projecting the state in its true positions,” he said.

    Tar said that Maiduguri, the state capital, was very safe for habitation and every other business activities including journalism.

    He gave the assurance of the governor that journalist and media organisations now have the freedom to enter any organisation for information without fear of being blocked or censored.

    Mr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, the Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, said that the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm and identify the major issues that Nigeria was grappling with in relations to security.

    “This expert meeting is on addressing patterns of violence, injustice and criminalities in Nigeria and it is the second edition.

    “The overriding objective of this meeting is that we identify key resolutions of what is going on in different regions of Nigeria.

    “This is because working in silos is always very counterproductive, so it is always good to establish peer learning opportunities like this.

    “Where we all together access the drivers of injustice insecurity, violence and injustice across the country,” he said.

    Nyulaku-Bemshima said that it was pertinent to address these three factors that cut across the whole country and was bedevilling every region in order to provide solutions and achieve growth and development.

    He recommended exit pathways such as amnesties, increase in access to justice to communities where rights have been violated and other kinetic and non-kinetic actions and solutions.

    Ms Melissa Camaganacan, 2nd Secretary, High Commission of Canada to Nigeria, recommended an inclusion of gender equality perspectives to security measures.

    Dr Joseph Ochogwu, Director General, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, lauded the organisers of the event for the forum to deliberate and provide solutions to ensure peace and security in the country.

    Ochogwu was represented by Dr Abosede Babatunde, Senior Officer, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resulution.

    Other stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Army Resource Centre, the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Security stakeholders from North-West, South-East and international stakeholders commended the organisers and called for sustained platform for dialogues.

  • Tinubu condemns Borno bomb attacks

    Tinubu condemns Borno bomb attacks

    President Bola Tinubu has condemned the bomb attacks which resulted in loss of lives and maiming of citizens in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

    Tinubu, in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, on Sunday, declared that the purveyors of wanton violence would have a certain encounter with justice.

    He said the cowardly attacks were only but an isolated episode, as his government would not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.

    The President described the attacks as desperate acts of terror and a clear manifestation of the pressure mounted against terrorists, and the success achieved in degrading their capacity to launch offensives.

    He stated that his administration was taking necessary measures to secure citizens.

    Tinubu emphasised that efforts would be redoubled to ensure that those who troubled the nation, dispatching precious lives and disrupting law and order, were completely removed.

    He condoles with the victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno State.

  • Insurgency: SEMA confirm more blasts in Borno, 18 people killed

    Insurgency: SEMA confirm more blasts in Borno, 18 people killed

    Dr Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has confirmed more blasts in Gwoza and the rise in the number of people killed to 18.

    Saidu said in a situation report obtained that the death comprised adult males, females and children.

    He added that the first blast by suicide bomber took place at a wedding ceremony,  while the second blast occured at the funeral service of victims when another female suicide bomber rushed into the congregation.

    He stated that “19 people seriously injured were conveyed to Maiduguri in four  ambulances, while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.

    “I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza.

    “The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.

    “I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.

    Pulka is a village not too far from Gwoza town.

    The coordinated attacks, which took many by surprise, was shocking to the people of Borno who experienced such at the height of the insurgency between 2024 and 2014.

    NAN

  • 6 killed, 15 injured in Borno suicide attack

    6 killed, 15 injured in Borno suicide attack

    No fewer than six people have been killed with 15 others injured in a suicide attack in Gwoza, Borno.

    Tragedy struck when the suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in Gwoza town.

    The attack occurred at a busy motor park known as Marrarraban Gwoza.

    Borno State Commissioner of Police (CP), Yusuf Lawal, confirmed the attack saying that the attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber.

    Lawal said that he was informed by the Divisional Police Officer in Gwoza, that at least six people were killed with 15 others evacuated to the hospital.

    An eye witness who identify himself as Buba, told NAN that the suicide bomber targeted a wedding ceremony.

    Buba said that the attack shattered the joy and celebration of the special day, leaving families and loved ones in mourning.

    Muhammed Kasim, another witness said that the attack happened around 1:30 p.m.

    “We heard a very loud sound of explosive, accompanied with dust; then we saw bodies on the ground.

    He said that several victims were evacuated to the hospital while security agencies were deployed to sanitise the area.

  • Nigerian Army hands over rescued Chibok girl, 3 children to Borno govt

    Nigerian Army hands over rescued Chibok girl, 3 children to Borno govt

    The Nigerian Army has handed over Lydia Simon, the rescued Chibok school girl and her three children to the Borno government for reunification with her family.

    Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theartre Commander, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai disclosed this during the handing over ceremony at the Mailmalari Cantonment, on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    He said that troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion rescued the six-month-old pregnant lady alongside her three children on Wednesday April 17, in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

    Shuaibu said that she was number 18 among the girls that were rescued by the Nigerian military.

    He explained that the abduction of the Chibok school girls in 2014, made both national and international headlines which culminated in the hashtag, “bring back our girls”.

    According to him, several efforts has been made both internationally and nationally to return the girls safely and reunite them with their families.

    “One of such national efforts is the conduct of military operations deep within the terrorists’ enclaves which have yielded positive results to facilitate rescue of some of the Chibok girls.

    “Starting from Esther Marcus, who appears on serial 103 on the abducted Chibok school girls’ list, who was the first to be rescued by troops of 7 Division Gar, till now efforts are still ongoing.

    “Just recently on April 17, one more Chibok girl was rescued with her three children from the Mandara mountain by troops of the theatre will continue to do its best to rescue those still in captivity.

    “The rescue will be in line with the strategic direction and guidance from the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff.

    “We thank the Chief of Army staff for all the resources he has provided in the theatre to achieve its mandate,” he said.

    Also Speaking, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, said the girl received medical treatment and other care by the division since her released.

  • Some pensioners still earn N4,000 monthly – NLC

    Some pensioners still earn N4,000 monthly – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Borno State chapter, has said that some retirees in the state were still being paid N4,000 monthly as pension.

    The NLC Chairman, Mr Yusuf Inuwa, said this in an address to mark the 2024 May Day celebration, on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    He advocated for upward review of the pension to improve the social and economic wellbeing of retirees.

    “Your Excellency, we wish to table before you that as at this moment there are some pensioners who are still receiving N4,000 as pension per month which is grossly inadequate.

    “We, therefore, pray for His Excellency intervention for upward review of the monthly pension”, Inuwa pleaded.

    He also called for the implementation of the national minimum wage, payment of outstanding leave and transport grants to local government employees in the state.

    The NLC chairman, who noted the commitment of the workers towards the transformation agenda of the state government, lauded the Babagana Zulum’s administration for the feat achieved in the area of workers’ welfare.

    He listed some of the achievements to include implementation of promotion benefits to workers in the mainstream, payment of gratuities to families of deceased workers, and provision of subsidised buses for workers and members of the public.

    Also, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Babayo Hamma, urged the state government to adopt the minimum wage aporoved by the Federal Government.

    The state deputy governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, lauded the harmonious relationship between labour and the state government.

    Kadafur who listed some of the training opportunities provided for the workers including the N2 billion free interest facility, reiterated government to the welfare and training of workers.

    Also, Prof. Ibrahim Umara of Political Science Department, University of Maiduguri, who highlighted the theme of this year’s May Day, “The People First”, called for proactive active measures to address energy crisis in the country.

    He urged government to adopt siund policies that would enabled the Dangote Refinery,  to supply fuel at a subsidised rate to service local consumption.