Borno

By Uzair Adam

The Borno State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum, has established a 12-member committee to oversee the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage.

This development was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Bukar Tijani, on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

According to the statement, the committee will be chaired by the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Babagana Mallumbe, with the Head of Service, Mallam Fannami, serving as Co-chairman.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Establishment, Mr. Sadiq Mohammed, has been appointed as the committee’s Secretary.

The committee is tasked with analyzing the federal-level consequential salary adjustments to determine how they can be applied, either fully or partially, in Borno State.

It will also work on devising a sustainable salary adjustment plan that considers the unique circumstances of the state.

Other members of the committee include the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, and the chairmen of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It was also gathered that the committee’s efforts will be crucial in ensuring a fair and realistic wage structure for civil servants in the state.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday, August 16, 2024, to express gratitude for the Nigeria Customs Service’s support in trade facilitation and border security. 

Governor Zulum acknowledged the strategic importance of Borno State, which shares borders with three countries, and noted the need for collaboration to enhance security and trade.

“We are grateful for the dedication and assistance the Nigeria Customs Service has provided to Borno State.

Our borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger require robust management, and we are keen to strengthen our relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure the safety and prosperity of our state,” he said. 

Comptroller General Adeniyi appreciated the visit and reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to supporting Borno State.

“We appreciate the support we have received from Borno State in carrying out our core responsibilities. The Customs Service is committed to enhancing and facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring the protection of our borders,” he assured. 

The meeting concluded with Governor Zulum inviting the CGC to visit Borno State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a move to accommodate Muslim worshipers, the Borno State Government and security agencies have announced a temporary relaxation of the curfew imposed in the state.

The curfew will be lifted from 12 pm to 3 pm on Friday to allow Muslims to attend Jumaat prayers at their local mosques.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Daso Nahun, the Police Public Relations Officer, the curfew will be reinstated from 3 pm on Friday to 6 am on Saturday.

Nahun urged residents to use the window of relaxation to attend prayers and go about their lawful activities, while avoiding any form of violence.

This temporary easing of restrictions is aimed at balancing security concerns with religious freedom, allowing Muslims in Borno State to observe their Friday prayers without hindrance.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Borno State government, in a bid to cushion the effects of rising food prices and basic amenities, has distributed 20 truckloads of rice to 35,000 vulnerable individuals in Monguno town.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum personally oversaw the distribution, which was supported by Senator Muhammad Tahir Monguno and other top government officials. 

The relief effort is part of the state government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of its citizens.

Each male beneficiary received a 25kg bag of rice and a 10kg bag of cowpeas, while female residents got clothing materials and a N10,000 cash grant as part of the state’s financial inclusion initiative. 

Governor Zulum praised the federal government for its support, saying, “We appreciate the Tinubu administration’s continued show of compassion to our citizens.” 

In addition to the rice distribution, the state government received 90 trucks of fertilizer, which will be distributed to farmers to boost food production across the country. 

During his visit to Monguno, Governor Zulum inspected ongoing construction projects, including a Dental and Eye Hospital and a School of Nursing.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress and pledged to recruit more personnel to ensure the institutions provide effective services.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has, in recent operations, made significant success against terrorist elements in Borno and Niger by dealing heavy blows to their infrastructure and mobility. 

According to AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, airstrikes carried out by the air components of Operations Hadin Kai and Whirl Punch have relentlessly targeted terrorist hideouts and disrupted their activities, thereby reducing their capacity to harm ground troops and civilians. 

In Borno, on May 3, airstrikes were authorised and executed over Chinene, located within the Mandara Mountain region, where terrorists were observed gathering for a meeting.  

The attack, targeting assembly areas and concealed weaponry, resulted in the destruction of seven gun trucks and numerous neutralised terrorists, as confirmed by the Battle Damage Assessment. 

Simultaneously, Operation Whirl Punch conducted pre-emptive strikes in Allawa village, near Shiroro town in Niger.  

This operation, prompted by credible intelligence indicating terrorist incursion following the evacuation of locals, aimed to thwart their presence and prevent further attacks.  

Terrorists, spotted wielding firearms, were effectively engaged upon arrival, with subsequent airstrikes targeting their arms cache hidden within Allawa Forest. 

Additionally, NAF conducted airstrikes in the Niger Delta region, specifically North of Arugbana and Temakiri, where illegal refining sites were detected and destroyed.  

This action not only curtails the capabilities of oil thieves but also mitigates the risk of pipeline sabotage and environmental damage. 

The coordinated efforts of NAF demonstrate a steadfast commitment to combating terrorism and securing vulnerable regions, underscoring the crucial role of air power in safeguarding national security.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Recent findings from the Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have revealed a startling trend in the Ortese Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp situated in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.  

According to Mrs. Grace Wende, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, approximately “200 new births per month” were recorded in the camp. 

Wende, speaking on behalf of the board, expressed concern over the high number of births and underscored the necessity for government intervention.  

She stated, “It is quite high, and Government needs to do something about it.”  

Furthermore, she highlighted the underutilization of family planning products provided to the residents of the camp, stating the need to “intensify demand creation generation.”

 By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Borno State Government has employed 15 people with disability who have undergone formal educational system. 

The new employees were said to have obtained bachelor’s degree certificates, NCEs, diplomas, and vocational training certificates. 

The state governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, was disclosed to have approved their employment with effect from May 1, 2024. 

The governor commended their efforts for not being lazy, and despite their disability, they decided to pursue education. 

He directed Commissioner of Education Lawan Abba Wakilbe to review the activities of all the blind schools in Borno State in order to train more people with disability. 

Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for introducing the teaching of special education courses at the College of Education Bama. 

Borno State Branch Chairman Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mohammed Mustapha, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for approving employment for his members.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Nigerian Air Force announced on Tuesday that its air component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) had successfully neutralised over 30 militants, including two high-profile leaders, Ali Dawud and Bakurah Fallujah im Borno State. 

Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, disclosed that the airstrikes, carried out over the weekend, targeted the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists nestled within Kolleram village along Lake Chad’s shores.  

The precision strikes, executed on April 13, 2024, resulted in the destruction of numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets, severely disrupting the terrorists’ operational capabilities. 

Gabkwet reported that the Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) post-strike revealed the elimination of key figures such as Ali Dawud, Bakurah Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.  

Additionally, intelligence gathered indicated the effective obliteration of a vital facility within the Kolleram enclave, disrupting the terrorists’ food processing activities. 

The success of these airstrikes shows  the NAF’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding Nigerian citizens.  

By neutralising top terrorist operatives and dismantling their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly weakened ISWAP’s presence in the region. 

The airstrikes, complementing ground forces’ ongoing efforts on the Lake Chad flank, mark a crucial advancement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism endeavours, signalling a resolute stance against extremist threats.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Borno State Police apprehended a young man and woman for engaging in an inappropriate act within the premises of the All Saints Protestant Church on Monday, located in the Police College, Maiduguri, Borno State. 

The two defaulters involved have been identified as Kaka Ali Umar, a resident of Damboa Road, and Khadija Adam, who resides in the Ngomari area of Maiduguri.  

Rev. Danjuma Adamu, the pastor of the church, recounted how the couple was discovered engaging in an inappropriate act inside the sacred space.

Rev. Adamu expressed profound disappointment at the desecration of the church premises, describing the incident as deeply regrettable and unacceptable. 

Upon discovery, prompt action was taken, and the police were alerted immediately. They defaulters were subsequently arrested and detained at the Metro Division of the Police.

They did not deny the allegations and admitted to their involvement in the incident. 

The news of the duo’s behaviour has stirred widespread condemnation and disbelief among members of the community, who view such actions as a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the church.

Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation and pursue appropriate legal measures against the individuals involved.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest of Ahmad Mohammed, aged 42, for allegedly supplying drugs to insurgents in Borno State, as part of a recent crackdown on drug traffickers and dealers. 

According to Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mohammed was apprehended along with 23 other suspected traffickers and dealers. 

He was found to be supplying illicit drugs to insurgents in the border region of Banki, between Nigeria and Cameroon. 

Mohammed’s arrest took place on Friday, February 9th, at a checkpoint in Borno State. Upon inspection of his luggage, NDLEA operatives discovered 20,000 capsules of tramadol, intended for delivery to the border town. 

In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck with registration number Lagos JJJ 64 YC on Sunday, February 4th.

The truck was transporting 367 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa, weighing 4,037 kilogrammes, from Akure, Ondo State, to the Shabu area in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. 

Three suspects, identified as Shuaibu Yahaya Liman (35), Monday Audu (33), and Linus Samuel (42), were arrested in connection with the seizure.