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BREAKING: Boko Haram IEDs Kill Nine Soldiers, Injure Several Others in Borno

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

An IED planted by Boko Haram terrorists near Gubio in Borno State has reportedly killed at least nine Nigerian soldiers.

According to a report on Monday, the explosives were planted by Boko Haram. The soldiers were travelling from Maiduguri when the deadly incident occurred.

“While coming from Maiduguri town on Saturday, they stopped at a camp on the road to continue their journey on Sunday,” the source said.

Several soldiers sustained injuries in the blast, with fatalities rising after the initial explosion. “Eight died yesterday (Sunday) among those injured, while one more died this morning,” the source added.

Clarifying the nature of the attack, the military source emphasized that it was not an ambush by gunmen but a blast caused by planted explosive devices.

“The incident happened at Gubio, not an ambush. It was caused by explosive devices,” he said, adding that casualties were high, with many sustaining serious injuries.

The affected soldiers were from “145 Damasak under 5 Brigade, Maiduguri, Borno State,” and the incident reportedly occurred towards Sunday evening.

Video and photographs show the aftermath of the blast, depicting several Nigerian Army personnel lying lifeless, some with severe injuries consistent with powerful explosions, including severed body parts.

This incident is the latest in a string of deadly attacks targeting Nigerian troops in the North-East, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to launch coordinated assaults on military formations and patrols using both gunfire and explosives.

As of the of time filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement or provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

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Governor Zulum
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Governor Zulum Bans Sale Of Alcohol In Borno

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has announced a ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, citing rising insecurity and social unrest.

The announcement came on Tuesday during the inauguration of a reconstituted committee tasked with revoking illegal hotels, brothels, shanties, and criminal hideouts, and addressing the growing menace of antisocial vices across the state capital.

Governor Zulum accused some military and security personnel of abetting criminal activities and promoting vices within the city. He said the ban was part of measures to curb increasing incidents of cultism, prostitution, drug abuse, thuggery, and clashes among rival groups, which have resulted in the loss of lives and property.

The newly reconstituted committee includes representatives from the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Civilian Joint Task Force, as part of what the governor described as a “holistic approach” to restoring order.

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BREAKING: Boko Haram invades Borno Community, Kills Soldiers, Civilians

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked the newly resettled Yamtake community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing two soldiers and an undisclosed number of civilians.

Security and local sources confirmed the attack, saying the assailants invaded the communities around 11:15pm on Thursday.

One of the military sources said before a reinforcement team was sent from Gwoza, the damage had bee done as the attackers stormed Yamtake military formation.

“We are waiting for the reinforcement team to return, but we learnt that two of our men and other civilians were affected. I advise we wait until they return,” he said.

However, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC, Borno South), said he had been in touch with the people of Yamtake community since the incident happened.

“It is unfortunate that our people in Yamtake village came under deadly Boko Haram invasion last night (Thursday). It’s one of the communities that received its IDPs recently, they were resettled by Borno State Government.”

“It is very sad that two soldiers paid the supreme price, while an unspecified number of innocent civilians were among the casualties. May their gentle souls rest in peace.

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Farmers affected by insurgency to buy petrol for N600 per litre – Borno Government

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has said that the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

Zulum made this disclosure on Friday evening in Bama town, when he flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers previously displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

“A litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be subsidised to the farmers for N600. This is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict.” he said.

Zulum highlighted that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.

According to the Governor, “One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel, as a result, I want to announce to the general public that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to the farmers at a subsided rate, a litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but henceforth, for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600.

“The Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure the delivery of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town as soon as possible.”

In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2000 bags of blended NPK fertilizer, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps.

Other materials include 380 units of solar water pumps, 1000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items.

He further disclosed that his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for use by irrigation farmers while also announcing the approval for the construction of an additional 250.

Moreover, Governor Zulum has also visited Darajama and Goniri villages under Bama Local Government to assess the ongoing reconstruction work as he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project, but also reiterated that his administration will not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.

He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the tremendous support of his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.

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Borno Gov, Zulum approves N70,000 minimum wage for Borno civil servants

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has approved the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state.

The governor also approved the payment of N3 billion as death benefits to families of deceased civil servants.

NAN reports that Zulum announced the approval on Thursday during a meeting with the technical committee to implement the national minimum wage in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno.

The governor said the gesture was to provide relief to the families of deceased workers, adding that his administration had adopted proactive measures towards improving the welfare of workers.

While presenting the cheque to the representatives of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NU), Zulum said his administration is committed to settling the backlog of gratuities and an upward review of pensions for retirees.

On July 29, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill into law.

The legislation increased the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

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BREAKING: Prison Break Confirmed in Borno as Flood Takes Over Facility [VIDEO]

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Prisoners have escaped from the custodial facility in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, due to severe flooding that has ravaged the city.

The facility, which houses some of the state’s most dangerous inmates, has been damaged, allowing an unconfirmed number of prisoners to escape.

It can be recalled that residents of the state woke up to an early morning flooding on Tuesday. Widespread destruction across the city was also reported.

Authorities have confirmed that some of the escapees are considered highly dangerous and may be armed.

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BREAKING: Borno commissioner dies in his room

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Commissioner for Finance in Borno State, Ahmed Ali Ahmed, is dead.

Details of his death are still sketchy, but sources familiar with the incident said that the commissioner died inside his room on Monday morning.

The deceased was said to have exceeded the time he usually comes out in the morning.

His door was then forced open where his corpse was found.

“Oga is no more, he died early this morning,” the source told Daily Trust.

Governor Babagana Zulum has lost two of his cabinet members within one year

Details later….

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Borno State Governor Zulum Hands Over to Deputy, Takes One Month Break

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has transferred power to his deputy, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, to act as governor during his absence for a month.

Kadafur will serve as acting governor from June 10 to July 8, 2024.

This development was announced during an emergency session of the Borno State House of Assembly (BOSHA) on Friday.

According to the Speaker, Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, Governor Zulum’s decision is in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ensuring a smooth transition of power.

“Borno State House of Assembly has received an Executive Communication informing the Members of handing over the affairs of activities of the office of the Executive Governor of Borno State to the Deputy Governor,” Lawan said.

The Speaker praised the move, stating that it guarantees continuity of governance and the smooth operation of state affairs.

This is not the first instance of Governor Zulum handing over power to his deputy. During his first term, he similarly transferred power to Kadafur while performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the House leader, Hon. Dige Muhammad, moved a motion for the House to recess and reconvene on July 9, 2024, which was adopted.

The assembly was thereafter adjourned accordingly.

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‘Leave or die’ — Terrorists gives quit notice to Borno communities

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have given residents of Kukawa LGA notice to quit their communities or face death from the terror group.

This is coming barely four days after killing fifteen fishermen in the Tumbun Rogo community.

A resident who fled his community to Maiduguri three hours after receiving the threat, revealed this to Channels Television.

While relieving his experience, the resident who begged anonymity, explained that the terrorists had gathered residents of various communities in the LGA in the early hours of Thursday, and told them to vacate their homes before Saturday, or else they would be killed.

According to him, immediately after they received the threat from the terrorists, communities started vacating their communities, some to Kross Kauwa while others left for Monguno.

Kukawa LGA is a local government at Lake Chad that is popular for fishing, farming and other agricultural value chain activities. it is surrounded by Lake Chad and has the presence of troops of the Nigerian Army and the Navy.

Although displaced by the insurgents during the insurgency, some communities like Kross Kauwa, Baga, Doron-Baga, Kukawa community, Tumbun Rogo were resettled back by the Professor Babagana Zulum administration.

Despite the restoration of relative peace and stability to the area, Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have continued to attack the communities, due to the socioeconomic value of the area to the terrorists, who exploit the fishing and farming activities of the place for their survival and financial support.

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“They swore with Quran and will not return to killings” Borno Govt defend integration of 160,000 into the society

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Borno State Government has said that the 160,000 repentant Boko Haram insurgents cannot return to killings because they swore to an oath with the Quran.

The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, stated this on Wednesday, February 14.

Gambo, whose ministry oversees the affairs of the ex-combatants and rescued captives, added that of the 160,000 repentant insurgents, 70,000 had been resettled and reintegrated into their communities.

Gambo stressed that having sworn by the Quran the ex-terrorists would never return to the bush to rejoin Boko Haram.

She spoke at the public presentation of survivors, victims and deradicalised women of Boko Haram by the UKAID-assisted Maiduguri-based non-governmental organisation, Allamin Foundation.

The commissioner allayed the growing public fears that the resurgence of terror in the North-East was being caused by the repentant terrorists reneging on their repentance and trooping back to the bush to pick up arms against the Nigerian state.

“It is completely untrue that the repentant Boko Haram fighters are reneging on their repentance and returning to the bush to continue fighting.

“Out of the over 160,000 who repented, we have already reintegrated over 70,000 in their home communities, and I can assure you that no one will be missing should we decide to gather all of them for anyone to confirm. We operate a transparent process of their repentance.”

Gambo said she was sure the repentant insurgent would not return to the trenches, having taken an oath with the Quran.

“We subject each of them to proper oath taking with the Holy Quran that he or she will never return to the bush to fight; and he or she swears with the Holy Quran in the presence of a committee comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders and government officials.

“No repentant Boko Haram dare renege on the oath because he or she knows what it means to swear with the Holy Quran and renege; and he or she knows that he or she dare not return to the bush because he or she knows that death awaits him on arrival; their commanders in the bush will kill him because they would not trust him.”

The commissioner said about 75 per cent of the repentant insurgents were originally farmers, who were captured and forced into insurgency.

“They were not real fighters,” she said, adding that the state government would study the entire charters of demand and do everything it could about them.

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