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Tag: Zulum

  • Between Zulum and Fayemi, a good story for Telecoms? – Okoh Aihe

    Between Zulum and Fayemi, a good story for Telecoms? – Okoh Aihe

    Okoh Aihe

    I have been thinking of two governors lately – Dr John Kayode Fayemi and Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum of Ekiti and Bornu States, respectively. Each time I ask myself, can this two be change agents in a positive way to bring the dividends of democracy to their people concerning telecommunication services and accompanying enablement? I mean not the kind of dividends that bring returns only to the pockets of the politicians but real change, the type that can wipe away tears from the faces of the ordinary folks and replace their bitterness and sorrow with honey and the good things of life. At least, for once, let that little infra dig be given the rare opportunity to dissolve a cube of sugar with his tongue, apologies to Ola Rotimi, and enjoy the goodness of life.

    I ask myself, can this duo fill the leadership void so very pronounced and prevalent today to let the people know that something good can come from our land, different from praise singing, when a dirge should have been more appropriate, and genuflecting instead of pervasive condemnation? I was prepared to sing an oriki this morning but even the Yorubas will agree with me that no oriki can come from broken tongues, apologies to Dr Amanze Obi. I do not intend to dampen your day; I am only suggesting that our actions in government should be symmetrical with the hopes and aspirations of the people. Zulum presents brightening hope in country facing very serious challenges which government wants to lobotomize from our memory and experience as a people.

    When his convoy was attacked on July 29, 2020, by defeated insurgents while on his way to Baga, Zulum presented the other side of the story, the inside story not cocooned in normalcy, which they don’t want us to hear. He didn’t hide his consternation and readiness to die only if his people could have peace, when he condemned the insincerity of the security folks around him.

    Zulum has been very active. Reliving his time at IBM in a book titled, Who says Elephants Can’t Dance? Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. wrote: “I have always believed you cannot run a successful enterprise from behind a desk.” Adjusted moderately you will agree that no state governor can run a successful state by staying behind his desk in the state capital. Zulum exemplifies that. He has been very busy while staring reality in the face, perhaps with the conviction that desperate times need some naked truth and force of will.

    Beloved by many as a governor who would speak the truth in a season of disappearing honesty, Zulum’s latest tangle is with frontline telecoms service provider, MTN. An innocuous story in the media last week informed that the governor is into discussions with MTN by way of encouraging and partnering with the operator to green-light at least 50 base stations that were taken out by the insurgents. That is leadership. The leader knows what is best for his people and does not pretend about it. This is no publicity stunt. Zulum knows that the state is in bad shape as a result of the activities of defeated insurgents and is not ashamed to seek help from whoever is in a position to give it.

    The governor’s pragmatism is not an ordinary call. A highly placed source at MTN confirmed to this writer that Zulum actually had a meeting with them and they were prepared to do business with the governor for his very audacious request. Explaining that in the past MTN could not take unilateral action in order not to expose its workers to danger, the source noted that Zulum’s readiness to assist with security and other necessary support are enough to spur the operator into action.

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON) are quite excited about the foresightedness of the governor in his efforts to revamp business activities in the state. Chairman of the Association, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, told this writer on Monday that the governor’s rapprochement will be rewarded by robust cooperation of its members who had felt disillusioned about the general atmosphere in that part of the country which was not safe for the life of the people or business. Adebayo is encouraging other governors to emulate Zulum in tackling telecom challenges.
    This brings me to the story of the Dr Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State. As the Chairman of the Governors Forum, the governor has been largely praised for signing Executive Order, No. 007 of 2020, which reduced Right of Way (RoW) Charges for telecommunication infrastructure in Ekiti State by 97 per cent, from N4, 500 to N145. The governor is leading by example and so many other states have followed this very positive approach to telecoms infrastructure build out.

    In celebrating the governor, ALTON wrote in a letter of appreciation dated, May 19, 2020: “This is a laudable decision, which would not only reduce the costs of deployment of telecommunication infrastructure in the State but also significantly encourage ICT development in the State and in turn improve the ability of telecommunication operators to support the Federal Government’s target of achieving 70% broadband penetration by 2025.

    “As rightly noted by His Excellency, the decision would create an enabling environment for businesses, ensure ease of doing business in the State, and facilitate the provision of reliable and affordable broadband connectivity to the people in the State. In addition, the decision is expected to further attract investments for the development of telecommunication infrastructure in the State in line with the ease of doing business initiative and ultimately boost socio-economic activities and the internally generated revenue of the State,” ALTON gushed.

    Let me now explain why the oriki got trapped in broken tongues. While Fayemi was giving an Executive Order to attract telecom operators to the state, with encomiums pouring in from far and wide, the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) was paving the path of contradiction, leading the state away from a new dawn of development, to a past where less than average was seen as perfection. Anachronism has a seat in governance sometimes and only the bold can dislodge it.

    While the ALTON letter of May 19, 2020, to Fayemi serenaded him to no end, another letter dated June 2, 2020, wasn’t that very salutary. Instead the letter titled: Introduction of New Fees and Charges on Telecommunication Infrastructure in Ekiti State – Request for Your Urgent Intervention, was to seek the quick intervention of the governor in resolving a cocktail of taxes slammed on telecom operators in EKiti State. Should I say a plethora of taxes! I am looking for the right word to describe the development but perhaps you can merge the two. I am sure like drug in the veins, for the addicts, a mixture of the two words can produce the kind of concoction that will be very damaging to the health of telecoms business in Ekiti State.

    Here are the charges being canvassed by EKIRS and for which the operators are being pressured. They include: Building/Planning Permit for each BTS/Mast – N1, 350, 000; RoW Charges per Linear Metre – N2, 500; Inspection/Project Management Fee per BTS/Mast – N135, 000; Annual Administrative Charges per BTS/Mast – N180, 000; and Annual Maintenance Access Fee per Linear Metre – N 300 (applicable to existing fibre ducts and cables laid in any road across the state).
    The ALTON letter to Fayemi points out the inconsistency in the charges of the tax drivers and how their actions fly in the face of a state and federal government trumpeting ease of doing business with intent to attract investors to state and country. ALTON argues that such charges will invalidate government’s effort in achieving the 70 per cent broadband penetration target stipulated in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 –2025.

    My simple question is: What is happening in Ekiti State? How can the governor and EKIRS be running in opposite directions? On the RoW reduction the governor demonstrated strength in leadership and decision making. What really is happening? Has Fayemi fallen for the filthy lucre that telecoms yields the highest returns in taxes and therefore abort his long term dream for the state?

    Engr Adebayo describes the development as giving something with the smallest finger and taking it back with the whole hand. What a grotesque way of withdrawing a gift? The wider implications are not very good; not for the state and not for the telecommunications industry.
    This is the time for Fayemi to backtrack, reappraise the situation and reload in order to regain full strength to execute his dreams for Ekiti State. As the chairman of the Governors Forum, his actions should encourage colleagues like Zulum that what he plans to do with MTN is the right thing to do for a people living in a country that is starved of empathetic leadership.
    Okoh Aihe writes from Abuja

  • The Zulum testimonies, By Owei Lakemfa

    By Owei Lakemfa

     

    BABAGANA Umara Zulum, soil scientist and Professor of Agriculture and Environmental Engineering, has a problem as the Governor of Borno State. As the chief security officer of the state, he takes on face value the security reports he gets. So when the security chiefs informed him that the town of Baga had been liberated from the Boko Haram terrorists, the army was in full control and that the residents had returned to the town, he thought it best to provide the returnees relief, more so as Sallah was approaching.

     

    On July 29, he mobilised materials and in an armed convoy, headed for Baga. A short distance from the town, his convoy, which included soldiers of the Nigerian army, came under sustained fire. Videos showed the tall Zulum being made to bend down by security agents as bullets flew. Some in his entourage sustained injuries.

     

    After the firing died down, the military commander assured Zulum all was clear and that they should resume the journey. But the governor refused, declaring that while he was not afraid, it was pointless continuing. He told the commander: “You people said there is no Boko Haram here; then who attacked us? You have been here for over one year now; there are 1,181 soldiers here; if you cannot take over Baga which is less than five kilometres from your base, then we should forget about Baga.” The next day, he told Channels Television: “It is a complete sabotage… As far as I am concerned, there was no Boko Haram yesterday (Wednesday). It was a serious shooting by the Nigerian Armed Forces … ‘residing’ in Baga. The situation is very embarrassing.” So was it friendly fire or a deliberate attack by the military to send a message to the authorities? Were the soldiers trying to scare away Zulum; that he had no business coming to their ‘territory’? If Zulum’s claims were correct, then we have a far more serious problem in our hands than the Boko Haram and bandit attacks in the country.

     

    The Defence Headquarters claimed it concluded investigations into the incident within 48 hours and that Zulum’s claims were incorrect. In reporting its findings to the public, its Director of Media Operations, Major General John Enenche began with technical jargons: “We investigated it immediately and the strategic level is cleared of that; operational level cleared of that, tactical level, cleared of that.” This of course made no sense to the civil populace. Then he went on: “We analysed the video: you will discover from the sound of the gunshots, it is not the professional weapons that we use. And of course, if you have operated with an enemy for some time, we call it enemy habit. From the analysis, it was purely that of the enemies, Boko Haram, in that area. From the tactics, and from the search conducted, it was the insurgents.”

    I am not convinced by the findings; what could have prevented rogue elements in the military using captured Boko Haram guns and stimulating the tactics of the insurgents?

     

    Our country is experiencing its most serious security challenge since Amalgamation in 1914. The Civil War was mainly fought in the East and it lasted three years. The Boko Haram insurgency has gone on for 10 years and the entire country is enveloped by insecurity with bandits holding territories in large areas of the North and carrying out horrendous massacres.

     

    For us to better understand the handling of the security situation, let us compare the outcome of two meetings held by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, with the country’s service and security chiefs. Both meetings were called to discuss the increasingly deteriorating security situation. They were held 47 days apart with the same cast and in the same Aso Rock Presidential Villa. In both cases, he spoke through his National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, a retired General.

     

    At the first meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2020, President Buhari expressed the true mood of the country. Monguno told the country: “Mr President expressed great concern over the declining security situation in the country. He is extremely unhappy about what is happening.” At the second meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 that anger was not apparent, if anything President Buhari seemed subdued. In the former meeting, he had bellowed: “… Even though the security agencies are doing their best, their best is not good…” In the latter meeting he sounded reconciliatory and even making a case for the security chiefs. He told them: “You are doing your best as far as I am concerned but there is still a lot more to be done.” While at the first meeting, he sounded like the man in charge, giving stern directives to the security chiefs that he “… wants an immediate reversal of the current trend and immediate reversal of our misfortunes in all their dimensions”. In the second meeting, he seemed to have forgotten his directives, he rather, sounded like a man making a plea. Monguno quoted President Buhari: “He has also directed that we must rejig our strategies both in terms of operations and intelligence. We must rejig our strategy to prevent further catastrophe; that we must bear in mind that we owe a duty.”

     

    To rejig is to rearrange, juggle, re-organise, alter or readjust; is that what the dire security situation in the country calls for? I thought it is claimed that in the military, you do not reinforce failure? As for a solution to the near-anarchy in the country, Monguno quoted President Buhari as saying since the issues involved were operational in nature, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, was “working on something” that would rejig the security agencies. In other words, there is no solution being offered.

     

    So, the weekly massacre of people in many towns and villages, banditry and kidnapping across the country and the undeniable resurgence of terrorism, will continue. Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai would return to doing his video press ups while his troops are pressed down and pinned down by insurgents; his Air Force counterpart, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar would continue his media propaganda on how the force is wiping out Boko Haram terrorists, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas would continue to glide in the shadows of relative obscurity.

     

    As for Governor Zulum, I suggest he resists any intimidation and continues his uncompromising service to the Borno State people and the country, but, he must watch his back. The Nigerian people are like orphans, and in almost all cases, orphans do not find comfort or security in a motherly bosom. We have to collectively take our destiny in our hands; nobody will come to our aid.

  • Insecurity: Governors meet today to discuss Boko Haram’s attack on Zulum, others

    Insecurity: Governors meet today to discuss Boko Haram’s attack on Zulum, others

    Governors will meet on Wednesday (today) to discuss strategies to address the degenerating security situation.

    The teleconference will be preceded by a meeting of the security sub-committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

    NGF spokesman Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo said the meeting is informed by the recent attack on the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, by suspected Boko Haram members.

    Bello-Barkindo said: “The rapidly degenerating security situation in the country will feature very prominently when governors meet tomorrow for their 14th NGF teleconference, according to the invitation sent out to governors by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), Mr. Asishana Bayo Okauru.

    “Not unexpectedly, in line with the security and policing swamp that the country has found itself, the attack on Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum will be tabled for discussion. The meeting will also preview a webinar, which comes up on August 11, driven through a partnership of the NGF and the Centre for Value in Leadership, (CVL) led by Prof. Pat Utomi.

    “One such webinar had taken place last month where the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- x-rayed ‘insecurity and the challenges of governance and leadership in the new normal,’ as it affects his state.

    “That too will come under the governors’ searchlight.

    “The flag-off and launch of the distribution of palliatives by the Coalition Against COVID19, (CACOVID), populated by the likes of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Access Bank along with other well-meaning philanthropists, in the states will also be addressed, as well as the issue of yet to be accessed funds at UBEC. “Still on education, the governors will review the resumption of schools and its roll-out plan.

    “Apart from security and education, the permanent items on the Teleconferences since the pandemic, health and the economy will also make it to the table.

    “The Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Committee of the NGF which interfaces with the Presidential Task Force on the Pandemic will brief the governors on progress so far before the governors discuss the economy.

    “Under this item, progress on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability program (SFTAS) will be thrashed.

    “There will also be updates on the restructuring of states’ loans tomorrow.

    “All of the above will be followed by any other business before the meeting comes to a close.”

  • Zulum to Army: ‘You said there is no Boko Haram in Baga, then who attack us?’

    Zulum to Army: ‘You said there is no Boko Haram in Baga, then who attack us?’

    Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has lambasted the Nigerian army following an attack on his convoy in Baga on Wednesday night.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Governor Zulum was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists on Wednesday while on his way to Monguno and Baga.

    It was gathered the terrorists ambushed the governor’s convoy as he went to distribute food to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, at Baga town, one of the areas difficult to reach for humanitarian activities.

    Though the attack was repelled by security operatives in the governor’s convoy, there were casualties on the side of his entourage.

    Zulum, thereafter confronted the Commanding Officer in Mile 4, expressing his disappointment at the inability of the military to rid Baga and environs of insurgents.

    “The army has been here for over one year now, there are 1,181 soldiers here; if you cannot take over Baga which is less than 5 km from your base, then we should forget about Baga.

    “I will inform the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the men to other places that they can be useful,” Zulum said.

    The governor further questioned the authenticity of the army’s position that Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralised in the state.

    “You said there is no Boko Haram here, then who attacked us,” Zulum questioned.

  • Gun-battle as Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno Gov. Zulum

    Gun-battle as Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno Gov. Zulum

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists on Wednesday while on his way to Monguno and Baga.

    It was gathered the terrorists ambushed the governor’s convoy as he went to distribute food to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

    The governor’s convoy was reportedly attacked by the terrorists while he was returning from Baga, a deserted fishing community in Kaka Local Government Area.

    Zulum was said to be unhurt as soldiers and police officers guarding him repelled the assault on the convoy.

  • Boko Haram: Zulum goes spiritual; orders fasting and prayers to end killings

    Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has declared a spiritual war against Boko Haram and ISWAP, saying the emergence of insurgency in 2009 was itself a strange evil, requiring a similar medicine.

    Zulum, who had been working hard to end the insurgency and even once hired prayer warriors in Saudi Arabia, declared next Monday, February 24, 2020 for statewide fasting and prayers, in combination with intensified offensive by Nigeria’ military and volunteer forces against Boko Haram insurgents.

    Zulum made the declaration in a six-minute broadcast to the people of Borno State on Wednesday.

    He however said there will be no public holiday on Monday.

    The insurgents have lately resumed serial attacks on communities in different parts of Borno state with the latest in Chibok on Tuesday after previous one in Auno last Sunday.

    The Governor after enumerating ongoing collaboration with the military, mass recruitment, equipping and deployment of thousands of volunteers in the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes, said his call for prayers was a strange but necessary decision made based on popular wish of Borno people.

    “Even though this decision is based on the popular demand of our people, some observers may rightly argue that it is a strange call. But then, Borno has been befallen with a strange evil since 2009, and sometimes, strange ailments require strange approaches.

    “As your Governor, I hereby declare Monday the 24th of February 2020 as a day of devotion to pray for the return of peace in Borno. I intend to fast on that day and I appeal to every one of us in Borno, who can, to join in that simple, but pricelessly rewarding spiritual endeavour. I also appeal for the sacrifices of all other well-meaning friends and associates of Borno who can, to join us in fasting on Monday, insha’Allah, for the restoration of peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria.

    “I urge all of us to be steadfast in prayers. But in doing that, we certainly do not need to congregate in open fields for dramas.

    “It would also not matter whether we are within or outside Borno State and whether we are at work places, markets or not. There will be no public holiday, after all, God is everywhere, at home and at work.

    “Let us pray to Him with the purest intention, total devotion, submission and unwavering faith.

    “His eminence, the Shehu of Borno has assured me of his call on imams of all mosques across the 27 local government areas of the state to recite the Qunut throughout the five congregational prayers on Monday. Leaders of the Christian community have also assured me of special prayer sessions in churches.

    “However, as citizens, we are all free to pray in the best ways we prefer” the Governor said.

    Zulum began his broadcast by recalling recent security threats posed by the Boko Haram.

    “Fellow citizens, in the last couple of days and weeks, Borno has faced resurging attacks from insurgents. The latest of these attacks happened around Chibok yesterday while the most horrific took place at Auno town in Konduga. Fellow citizens were atrociously set ablaze, amongst them, an infant and nursing mother.

    “Before these recent incidents, many communities also came under varied degrees of murderous attacks in the north, south and central parts of Borno State.

    “I share the grief of fellow citizens who have either lost their loved ones or confronted the agony of watching loved ones on hospital beds. I feel the trauma of hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens who have lost everything and have been forced to live on makeshift shelters and rely on food and non-food aid as internally displaced persons and refugees in neighbouring countries.

    “Beyond sharing the griefs and pains of fellow citizens, I assure you, that we have never for one second, ignored our constitutional and moral obligations towards you, the good people of Borno State.

    “As your Governor in the last nine months, I have lived, slept and woken up with a constant reminder that where I deliberately fail to do my utmost best in trying to secure lives, Allah will hold me accountable at His appointed time.

    “Fellow citizens, security of lives and property is the number one essence of government.

    “We are continuously giving support to our gallant and patriotic armed forces in both logistics and mobilisation of community intelligence.

    “We are constantly increasing, equipping and motivating thousands of volunteers who make unquantifiable sacrifices in joining the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes to defend our communities across the 27 local government areas.

    “Fellow citizens, we are more than determined to continue deploying and sustaining all lawful and necessary measures in our desperate search for enduring peace in Borno State.

    “However, as we redouble our combined efforts, we have to acknowledge that as human beings, our strengths are limited.

    “I know we have ceaselessly sought divine intervention in our individual and group prayer sessions.

    “These notwithstanding, this time around, I will like us to seek Allah’s intervention, not as individuals and groups, but as an entire state” he said.

    Governor Zulum urged citizens to pray for those killed by insurgents, armed forces and volunteers who died fighting the insurgents and troops currently in battle fronts.

    “In our prayers, we should be kind to remember thousands who were killed in this unfortunate crisis, and those who gave their lives fighting it.

    “We should also be very deliberate that Monday, in giving help, particularly of food, to our nearest in need.

    “Fellow citizens, we should fervently pray for our armed forces and volunteers, who right now, are in battle fronts risking their lives to keep us safe.

    “These gallant fighters and those who died fighting, are the true heroes of Borno. We shall remain endlessly grateful to them” Zulum said.

    “The Governor also called on citizens to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari whom he described as sincerely committed to ending the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “We should pray for our President, Muhammadu Buhari, whose sincerity in the fight against Boko Haram has never been in doubt.

    “Fellow citizens, as your Governor, I testify that President Buhari is supremely dedicated to ending the Boko Haram insurgency. The evidence of the President’s dedication is the military’s freeing of thousands of abducted citizens and the liberation of many communities in Borno State hitherto under the sovereign administration of insurgents. Majority of these communities were rebuilt and are now occupied by resettled citizens.

    “These gains for humanity, are what the Boko Haram insurgents hope and are determined to reverse. “We cannot let them succeed.

    “We must fight and pray for good to triumph over evil.

    “May God free Borno and the rest of Nigeria from insurgents and all enemies of public peace and security” the Governor said.

  • CALSER writes PMB over terrorism, wants Zulum, Borno elders to appreciate military

    CALSER writes PMB over terrorism, wants Zulum, Borno elders to appreciate military

    The Centre For African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER), on Wednesday, penned an emotional letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the war against terrorism, calling on Governor Babagana Zulum and Borno elders to support the military.

    In the letter signed by convener Princess Ajibola, CALSER revealed that the governor as well as the political elites in the state aren’t giving enough moral support to the troops on the frontline.

    At every slightest opportunity, the group disclosed that the Borno leaders criticize the military, ignoring their tremendous sacrifices for the safety and peace of his people.

    While peace have been restored to neighbouring states, insurgency is on the rise in Borno and CALSER believes this is as a result of the state’s elites deliberately declining in playing complementary roles to the Nigerian military.

    The group, therefore, besieged on the president to intervene and ask the Borno governor and leaders to provide complementary credible intelligence information to the troops.

    In situation where this fails to happen, however, CALSER called on the president to declare a state of emergency in the state.

  • Photos: 23 dead as Gov Zulum distributes relief items to refugees in Niger

    Photos: 23 dead as Gov Zulum distributes relief items to refugees in Niger

    Twenty-three people have been feared dead in a stampede during a food distribution by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum at a refugee camp housing Nigerians in Niger Republic.

    Over 120,000 Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram terrorists have taken refuge in Niger Republic.

    Officials of the Borno State Government were engaged in the distribution of the food items to Nigerian refugees living in Niger Republic, but Zulum was said to have travelled to Diffa, a border community in Niger Republic, where he met over 120,000 Nigerians who fled their homes some years ago.

    The 120,000 are among the millions of Nigerians who have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in North-east Nigeria.

    The Nigerian refugees in Niger

    The rice and oil given by the Borno Governor Zulum to the refugees

    According to government sources, Monday’s stampede occurred hours after Zulum left Niger Republic for Maiduguri.

    Zulum had on Sunday supervised the distribution of the food items to about 30,000 refugees before he left with an instruction that the state emergency agencies should continue to distribute the materials.

    It was learnt that the stampede happened on Monday morning as refugees began to protest the delay in the continuation of the food distribution at the two distribution sites called the MJC Boys and Girls Club in Diffa province.

    Female refugees in Niger

    According to an official of the Borno State Government who witnessed the incident, Nigeriens living around the camp stormed the place with the hope of getting some food even though they were not meant to benefit.

    “The distribution supervised by Governor Zulum on Sunday was successfully carried out as the entire 30,000 that received the meal token, all got their food and clothing,” the witness said, asking not to be named as he was not authorised to talk to journalists.

    “After the governor had left, the official continued the distribution at a venue called Gidan Wasa, where over 6000 refugees received their shares. But things went out of control the second day when some local Nigeriens got wind of the distribution exercise continuing on Monday.

    “They rushed down to join the Nigerian refugees at the distribution locations; and in attempts to be the first to get the relief items, a serious stampede ensued,” the official said.

    The source said of the 23 persons that died, 19 were Nigeriens, while four were Nigerians.

    “Most of those that died were aged women and children,” the source said.

    The official said the fact that Nigeriens were involved in the stampede “explains the fact that there is serious poverty and hunger in that axis.”

    When contacted, the spokesman of the Borno State governor, Isa Gusau, confirmed the development.

    He said the government will not be making any official comment on the matter now, “until the governor receives a detail report” of what transpired from the committee handling the distribution of the items to the refugees.

  • Boko Haram back alive in Borno, Gov Zulum tells Buhari

    Boko Haram back alive in Borno, Gov Zulum tells Buhari

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has decried the recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

    This comes against the backdrop of the killing of 30 travellers by the terrorists on Sunday in Auno town near Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The governor complained about the security situation in the state when he met with President Muhammadu Buhari who visited Maiduguri shortly after he returned from Ethiopia on Wednesday.

    “We are surprised that there seems to be a resurgence in 2019,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu.

    Recalling the situation before President Buhari assumed office in 2015, Zulum said “Roads were closed, there were sporadic bombings everywhere even within the metropolis. Close to 20 local government areas were under Boko Haram.”

    He, however, thanked the President for identifying with the state in its trying times and praised the efforts of the military so far.

    President Buhari with Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and Shehu of Borno, HRM Abubakar Umar El-Kanemi, at the Shehu’s Palace on February 12, 2020.

    The governor tasked the military to borrow from their successes, especially between 2015 – 2017 and take the battle to the insurgents and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad.

    He also urged the security agencies to be patient with the civilian populace and give opportunities to the Internally Displaced Persons to access their communities in order to return to their occupations.

    In his remarks, President Buhari revealed that the Federal Government was taking more proactive and decisive measures to put to an end to the Boko Haram menace in the country once and for all.

    To achieve the objectives, he stressed that intelligence sharing and synergy between law enforcement agencies and the civil populace were critical.

    “I assure you that improvement in security will be pursued vigorously. The military will work harder and strategise with tactics to deal with the insurgents.

    “This is, however, not possible without good intelligence and cooperation with local community leaders,” the President stated.

  • Borno Gov hires 1000 hunters with ‘juju’ powers to battle Boko Haram

    Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has engaged over 1,000 hunters with supernatural powers to battle Boko Haram.

    This follows last week’s engagement of Imams from Saudi Arabia to pray against the continued attack by Boko Haram on the state.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru [TNG] had earlier reported that Zulum hired several Imams who reside in Saudi Arabia to wage spiritual wars against the deadly insurgent.

    Meanwhile, in another fresh report published by an online newspaper, TheCableng, Zulum, a professor of engineering, has become apprehensive over the resurgence of Boko Haram in his state despite the efforts of the military.

    A source familiar with the secret recruitment said the governor may have decided to try unconventional means to supplement efforts of the military.

    It was learnt that the recruitment was intensified in the last two weeks with the traditional hunters armed and administered the oath of allegiance, using the Qur’an, Islam’s most sacred book.

    The hunters are largely Muslims.

    Although the state government has been recruiting thousands of local hunters, vigilantes and the civilian JTF for years, they were volunteers from Borno.

    Read Also: Borno reintegrates 132 ex-Boko Haram members
    “This is the first time outsiders have been engaged,” the source said.

    “They are being brought into Borno in batches, often during the night in order to evade public attention.”

    The source said: “The special hunters are being identified from all parts of the Northeast and Northwest, in particular, and engaged by a team of trusted aides assigned by Governor Zulum.”

    He also increased monthly allowances of thousands of existing volunteers under the civilian JTF.

    He immediately acquired 160 patrol vehicles and surveillance gadgets which he distributed to the fighters he inherited.