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Tag: Yobe

  • Senate urges Military to reinforce troops in Borno, Yobe to counter Boko Haram resurgence

    Senate urges Military to reinforce troops in Borno, Yobe to counter Boko Haram resurgence

    The Nigerian Senate has called on the military to urgently deploy more personnel—fully equipped and strategically positioned to Borno and Yobe states in the North-East to tackle the renewed threat posed by Boko Haram insurgents.

    This appeal followed the killing of 12 soldiers by insurgents in Marte, Borno State, and was made during Tuesday’s plenary session. The Senate also directed its Committees on Army and Air Force to oversee and ensure compliance with the directive.

    The resolution stemmed from a motion titled “The Resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe,” moved by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), and co-sponsored by lawmakers representing the affected states.

    In presenting the motion, Senator Monguno recalled that just a few years ago, Boko Haram had control over two-thirds of Borno’s Local Government Areas. However, combined efforts by the military and the Civilian Joint Task Force eventually reclaimed those territories and restored a degree of peace in both Borno and Yobe.

    He explained that after this progress, the military shifted its tactical command to the North-West to address rising cases of kidnapping and banditry. Unfortunately, this redeployment has coincided with a resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the North-East, including the deadly May 12 attack in Marte.

    Senator Monguno raised alarm over the group’s renewed strength and evolving tactics, including the use of drones for surveillance and attacks, as well as the planting of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which cause significant casualties and disrupt transportation.

    He stressed the urgent need for the military to return in full force to the North-East, with advanced technology and necessary equipment to combat the insurgents’ growing sophistication.

    “A robust military presence in the North-East is critical to containing the renewed threat of Boko Haram,” he emphasized.

    Following the debate, the Senate adopted the motion’s two resolutions through a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.

  • I’m not joining Atiku’s coalition – Yobe gov, Buni declares

    I’m not joining Atiku’s coalition – Yobe gov, Buni declares

    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has said that he is not joining the opposition leaders’ coalition being spearheaded by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Saturday.

    NAN reports that a viral text message had claimed that Buni and four other APC governors had concluded arrangements to defect to the opposition PDP and join the coalition before the 2027 general elections.

    Mohammed described the viral message as baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination and assumptions that did not cross path with reality in any way, shape and form.

    He said that at no time was the author of the text ever been close to the governor to think that he could attempt to predict the governor’s political movement.

    “Buni is no ordinary member of APC; he is not just an APC governor. He is APC in all ramifications, with APC flowing in his veins.

    “His contributions to building APC as a two-term National Secretary and National Chairman who chaired the party’s convention committee makes him unique and whose imagination of leaving the party cannot be speculated,” he said.

    Mohammed said that the author and his paymasters must have been interested in Buni’s political sagacity and only wished they would have the likes of the governor. It must be wishful thinking,” he said.

  • Yobe Govt. denies Boko Haram eviction claims

    Yobe Govt. denies Boko Haram eviction claims

    The Yobe Government has dismissed as false and misleading the rumours about an eviction notice allegedly issued by Boko Haram to communities in Gujba Local Government Area.

    Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), Special Adviser on Security Matters, stated this after the state security council meeting, chaired by Deputy Governor Alhaji Idi Gubana in Damaturu on Wednesday.

    Abdulsalam assured residents that no such threat exists and urged them to continue their normal activities without fear.

    “The government, in collaboration with security agencies, remains committed to safeguarding all communities.

    “There is no credible intelligence suggesting that Boko Haram has issued any eviction notice to residents of Gujba or any other part of the state,” he said.

    The newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Osun, reaffirmed security agencies’ commitment to maintaining peace and order during and beyond the festive period.

    “We have reviewed the state’s security architecture and put measures in place to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

    “We urge parents and guardians to monitor their children and discourage reckless behaviour,” he said.

    NAN reports that the security council commended traditional rulers and community leaders for their roles in conflict resolution and fostering peace.

  • Police detain bandit’s kingpin, recover arms in Yobe

    Police detain bandit’s kingpin, recover arms in Yobe

    The Police Command in Yobe says it has arrested a suspected bandit’s kingpin in Ngalda, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe.

    SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s Spokesman, who disclosed this in a statement in Damaturu on Tuesday, said a locally made pistol and three cartridges were recovered during the arrest.

    He said the arrest was in response to a robbery attack allegedly masterminded by the kingpin on Ngalda Market on Monday, which resulted in seven deaths and 11 injuries.

    “On January 20, 2025, at approximately 2100hrs, a group of six armed robbers attacked three shops at Ngalda Market.

    “The incident resulted in seven fatalities and eleven injuries. The robbers made off with approximately N16,500,000,” Abdulkarim said.

    The spokesman said irate youths in the area mobilised and neutralised three of the attackers, while three others fled with injuries.

    He said victims and corpses were evacuated to the General Hospital, Fika, for medical treatment and autopsy respectively.

    Abdulkarim said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, and called for calm.

    “He tasked personnel to arrest fleeing syndicate members and urged the public to assist the command with credible information,” the spokesman said.

  • Buni approves N70,000 minimum wage for Yobe workers

    Buni approves N70,000 minimum wage for Yobe workers

    Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, has approved the payment of N70,000 new minimum wage for civil servants in the state.

    Buni, in a statement by his Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Saturday, said the payment would take effect from December.

    According to Mohammed, the approval is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by a committee on the minimum wage earlier constituted by the state government.

    “The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch-free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.

    “The reconciliation process, which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure,” he said.

    The aide said that the state government expected civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best towards effective service delivery.

  • Yobe confirms cholera outbreak as nine persons confirmed killed

    Yobe confirms cholera outbreak as nine persons confirmed killed

    Nine persons have died following a Cholera outbreak in five local government areas of Yobe State.

    Confirming the disease outbreak in a press statement on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Lawan Gana, said the LGAs affected were Gujba, Fune, Machina, Nangere and Nguru.

    He explained a total of 132 cholera cases were recorded as of of September 25 and so far, 112 patients have been treated and discharged.

    “So far confirmed cases have been identified in 5 LGAs, namely Gujba, Fune, Machina, Nangere and Nguru LGAs.  A total of 132 cholera cases were recorded as at 25th September 2024, unfortunately, we lost 9 patients, Case Fatality Rate (CFR),” he stated.

    The Commissioner who blamed delay in reporting to health facilities as the major cause of the fatality, said the state government is working tirelessly to curtail the menace.

    “In light of this and due to our continuous concern for the health of our people and the need to scale up response with the support of our International, National and Local partners, the state government is therefore declaring an outbreak of cholera in Yobe State.”

    He lamented that the state has recorded an upsurge in cases of acute watery diarrhoea as a result of the current heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.

    The state government called on all health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders as well as citizens to join hands with the Ministry of Health and other health-related agencies to curb the spread of the cholera in Yobe within the shortest possible time.

     

  • Suspected vandal electrocuted while attempting to steal electricity equipment

    Suspected vandal electrocuted while attempting to steal electricity equipment

    A suspected vandal has been electrocuted while tampering with an exposed live wire in order to steal it from a transformer substation at Commissioners’ Quarters in Damaturu, the Yobe capital.

    Blessing Tunoh, Communications Officer, Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), made this known in a statement issued in Yola on Saturday.

    Tunoh said that the company’s Regional Manager, Operations, visited the scene alongside the Maintenance Officer, after receiving the report of the incident.

    She said that the suspect’s body was evacuated from the substation by the Damaturu police patrol team codenamed: “Operation Haba Maza,” and taken to the Damaturu Teaching Hospital.

    The company’s spokesperson said that the relatives of the deceased came and identified the deceased’s corpse on arrival at the hospital and claimed it.

    “Investigation revealed that the deceased attempted to use his shirt to shield himself while tampering with an exposed live wire during the illegal act.

    “Unfortunately, contact with the live cable led to his instant electrocution but the transformer was not damaged, and no further vandalism was reported,” she said.

    Tunoh quoted DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the Police Public Relations Officer, Yobe Command, as saying that the deceased had attempted to steal the power assets at about 1:00 a.m.

    “There was power outage when the suspected vandal entered into the transformer substation but was suddenly electrocuted when power was restored.

    “His lifeless body was discovered in the early hours of the morning by residents on their way to the mosque for morning prayers.

    “The incident was promptly reported to the Maisandari ‘B’ Division of the Police Command in Yobe, which deployed personnel to evacuate the body.

    “We will continue to support the YEDC in protecting their installations and prosecuting arrested vandals who damage power infrastructure and disrupt services,” she quoted Abdulkarim as saying.

  • APC NWC visits Borno, Yobe states over flooding, terrorists attack

    APC NWC visits Borno, Yobe states over flooding, terrorists attack

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (CON), yesterday, September 12, 2024, led members of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on visits with the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, to empathise with the governments and residents over the devastating floods in Borno and the recent terrorist attack in Yobe.

    In Borno state, Dr Ganduje expressed the Party’s sympathies to Governor Zulum and and the people of the State over the devastating flooding that destroyed property, livelihoods, farmlands and public facilities in Maiduguri and environs following the collapse and overflow of the Alau dam in Borno State.

    In Yobe state, Dr Ganduje commiserated with the government and residents over the terrorist attack that killed scores of innocent residents of Mara village, Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe state.

    In a statement signed by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the party said the National Chairman assured both state governments of the federal government’s commitment to provide crucial support and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the flood disaster and forestall a repeat of the gruesome killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The Party prayed for divine comfort for families that lost their loved ones and wished the injured speedy recovery.

    On Tuesday, thousands of residents fled their homes as flood ravaged swathes of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.

    The flood occurred due to the collapse of the Alau Dam which has been at full capacity for the past week.

    Similarly, dozens of people were killed  after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a village in Yobe state, setting fire to shops and homes.

     

  • Police announce capture of “notorious terrorist” in Yobe

    Police announce capture of “notorious terrorist” in Yobe

    The  Police Command in Yobe announced on Monday it had captured Haruna Mohammed, 40, who is believed to be a leader of a “notorious terrorist gang”.

    Mr Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesperson, told newsmen in Damaturu that the suspect was apprehended by the State Intelligent Department (SID).

    “He has been involved in terrorising towns, villages and neighbouring states through menacing phone calls, demanding money and valuables from victims.

    “The command has been on the trail of Mohammed for his criminal activities.

    “A victim from Siminti village reported that Mohammed demanded N3 million and threatened to kill him and his family.

    “In an intensive intelligent operation on June 16, detectives from the SID arrested Mohammed at Nangillam, a village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

    “The suspect has confessed to the crime and even named other members of the syndicate who are currently being trailed,” he said.

    Abdulkarim advised communities to promptly report security breaches in their areas and reaffirmed the command’s readiness to stamp out criminal tendencies in Yobe.

  • I’m not opposed to LG autonomy – Yobe gov, Buni

    I’m not opposed to LG autonomy – Yobe gov, Buni

    Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has said that his stance has showned he was not opposed to the idea on local government autonomy across the country.

    Buni disclosed this after casting his vote in the local government election at his polling unit in Buni Gari on Saturday.

    He said that his administration’s collaborative approach to local government councils was aimed at complementing their efforts.

    “In 2019, I envisioned granting autonomy to local government councils but unfortunately six out of 17 LGs struggled to pay salaries.

    “Our joint local government account initiative aims to support the LGs and work together with the state government,” he explained.

    The governor also expressed optimism about the future of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

    “Our democracy is growing and this issue will be addressed seamlessly and democratically without hitches,” Buni said.

    The governor commended the impressive turnout of voters at the local government election.

    “That is the beauty of democracy; giving people the right to cast their votes and that is what we have just witnessed,” he said.