The Nation Newspaper

Tag: borno

  • Military uncovers Boko Haram business centre in Borno

    A fake business centre specialized in the production of fake National Identity Cards for men of the Boko Haram has been uncovered by the men of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

    The business centre situated at the busy Post Office area of Maiduguri according to the military was before its discovery being operated/managed by Mr. John Zakariya and Mallam Makinta Umar.

    The duo have been arrested and are now assisting the military with useful information.

    The discovery was contained in a press statement signed by Colonel Tukur Gusau, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations.

    [ad id=”403656″]Gusau in the statement said “the arrest of the accomplices were made possible after a Boko Haram terrorist who was earlier arrested confessed to Joint Investigation Centre that the suspected persons were in the business of producing ID cards for the terrorists group.

    “The items recovered from the accomplices include; computer laptops, memory sticks, still camera among others.

    ” During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the accomplices produces fake National Identity Cards and other documents for the terrorists in a Business Centre located in Maiduguri.
    “These documents enable the terrorists to move freely to various destinations and carry out their terrorists activities, killing and inflicting hardship to the Law abiding citizens in the country.

    “The documents also facilitate the smooth movement of the terrorists to neighbouring countries to network with other terrorists.

    “This act by the accomplices is detrimental to the ongoing effort of the various security agencies under Operation Lafiya Dole”. Gusau’s statement added.

  • New ministry for Boko Haram victims in Borno

    New ministry for Boko Haram victims in Borno

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has announced the creation of a new ministry that would take care of Boko Haram victims in the state.

    The governor announced the new ministry in Maiduguri on Wednesday at the swearing in of 21 new commissioners and Local Government care taker committee chairmen in the state and the swearing in of members of some boards.

    Named the ministry for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, the new ministry is saddled with the burden of all internally displaced people in the state and the reconstruction of the affected communities.

    The establishment of the ministry marks a significant step in the post insurgency plan of the Borno State government.

    The new ministry is to be manned by Dr. Babagana Zulum who until his appointment was the Rector of the State owned Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri.

    According to the governor, the choice of Dr. Zulum for the ministry was “because of the manner he prudently initiated and supervised many buildings within Ramat Polytechnic out of passion for development of Borno State.”adding that,

    Dr Zulum had also successfully supervised the execution of some public buildings donated to the University of Maiduguri by Borno State Government, all of which were not only delivered in good time but also of very high quality despite use of less resources through direct labour”.

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    Meanwhile, the Secretary to Borno Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa has announced portfolios for the 20 commissioners sworn alongside Dr Zulum.

    The posting shows that Dr Mohammed Bulama retained his office as Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture; Adamu Alhaji Lawan takes on ministry of works and transport as commissioner, Hajiya Inna Galadima, Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Yerima Lawan Kareto Trade, Investment and Tourism, Usman Ali Zanna Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Mohammed Aliyu Dilli Agriculture and Natural Resources, Zainab Gimba Water Resources, Dr. Haruna Mshelia Health and Human Services, Sugum Mai Mile Land and Survey and Babagana Tijjani Banking Housing and Rural Electrification.
    Others include Ahmed Usman Jaha as Commissioner Higher Education, Abubakar Ibrahim Babale Sport Development, Mohammed Kauji Finance Budget and Planning, Hon. Fanta Baba Shehu Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kubo Education, Waziri Imam Environment, Hon. Kaka She hu Lawan Justice, and Magaji Wandeo Animal Fisheries and Develoment. The posting also has Hon. Ali Abatcha incharge of Inter- Governmental and Special Duties and Mustapha Fannarambe is Commissioner for Religious Affairs.
    Shettima had also sworn in caretaker chairmen of 27 local government areas whose names were released last week. The Governor also swore in Hassan Aminami as a permanent secretary.

  • Photo: Deputy Gov of Bauchi pays condolence visit

    Photo: Deputy Gov of Bauchi pays condolence visit

    DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STATE, NUHU GIDADO (R) AND GOV. KASHIM SHETIMA OF BORNO, CONDOLING WITH THE FAMILY OF THE LATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BORNO, ZANNAH MUSTAPHA, IN BORNO ON TUESDAY
    DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STATE, NUHU GIDADO (R) AND GOV. KASHIM SHETIMA OF BORNO, CONDOLING WITH THE FAMILY OF THE LATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BORNO, ZANNAH MUSTAPHA, IN BORNO ON TUESDAY
  • Borno: 56 killed in fresh Boko Haram attack

    Borno: 56 killed in fresh Boko Haram attack

    Not fewer than 56 hapless villagers were killed by a gang of suspected Boko Haram in Badu village of Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno state.

    The attack was said to have been carried out in the early hours of Friday.

    Badu is located 68 km away from Maiduguri from the northern axis of Borno state with its population largely farmers and herdsmen.

    The news of the attack was revealed by no other than Gov. Kashim Shettima when he hosted parents of the abducted Chibok girls in Maiduguri, the State capital on Saturday.

    Shettima while addressing the parents revealed that; “As President Muhammadu Buhari directed me address you on the abduction of your daughters in April last year by Boko Haram, the security agencies hurriedly briefed me on another insurgents’ attacks at Badu village, where 56 innocent people were killed along with the burning down of all their houses and huts, including the evacuation of their food stuff and livestock.

    “This is madness, and the calamities perpetrated by these mad boys, are not only restricted to abduction of these Chibok schoolgirls that the President asked me to console with each and every one of you here today (Saturday) to exercise more patience.

    “The issue of this Boko Haram insurgency in the North East sub-region of this country; was not based on either religion or ethnicity. It is a total madness of massive killings and destruction of people’s lives without any genuine cause.

    “I have raised an emergency committee to hurriedly travel to the village Sunday to provide relief assistance, so that the survived ones do not perish along the dead bodies in Badu village of Nganzai council area of Borno.”

    A military source has also informed that, “One of the villages in Borno north, was attacked by the insurgents, while fleeing the Lake Basin Areas at the weekend.”

  • Chibok girls alive, will be rescued soon- Buhari

    Chibok girls alive, will be rescued soon- Buhari

    Over 500 days since their abduction, some selected parents of the Chibok girls have met with the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
    According to a statement signed by Isa Gusau, Gov. Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, the meeting was to convey the message of hope to the parents by the President Muhammadu Buhari that their children would soon return and be re-united to them.
    Over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Government Secondary School, Chibok in southern part of Borno.
    The statement said the president was very hopeful that the schoolgirls were alive and that efforts were on top gear to have them rescued safely to reintegrate with their families.
    Part of the president message through the governor read; “These priceless schoolgirls are our daughters and they are dear to us as much as they are to you. ” We share the agony and sorrows you are experiencing as well as our abducted girls, as Government we are working hard to rescue our girls alive and healthy.
    “I am optimistic that the girls are still alive and will soon be rescued and handed over to you parents by the grace of God. As leaders we are responsible for the welfare of our people and are accountable before the Almighty God, as such while the rescue efforts go on relentlessly, the government will continue to render assistance to you as their biological parents.
    ” We are aware that most of you the parent cannot attend to your sources of livelihood, go to work, go to farms nor carry on with your trading because of the psychological trauma and agony you are going through and this is to be expected. ” It is for this reason, we find it an obligation to support you in trauma management and in offering some economic support and these support are not compensation for your daughters because we have not lost hope in recovering them, indeed no sane parent gives up on the recovery of a missing child”.
    The President who observed that, the activities of Boko Haram have no religious or tribal inclination regretted the senseless killings that have been carried out by the group and assured that the situation would soon come by the grace of God.
    “Government is fully committed to fight the insurgents to a stand till especially with renewed global and regional military cooperation as well as the commitment so far displayed by newly appointed service chiefs and their gallant armed forces who have shown so much patriotism and great sacrifice in defense of their father land,” the president said.
    The president in his message also sharedbin the pains of the parents as a parent himself who understands the pains and agony of losing a child.

    One of the parents, Lawan Shettima who spoke on behalf others expressed confidence in the leadership of President Buahari to rescuing their children and bringing them back home.

  • Five Boko Haram men killed in ambush of Army chief’s team

    Five suspected members of Boko Haram were on Saturday killed by soldiers after opening fire on an advance team of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai on the Maiduguri-Dikwa road,Borno State in an ambush.
    The soldiers were on their way to Dikwa ahead of Gen.Buratai who is currently visiting troops in towns and villages recently liberated from terrorists in the state.
    One of the soldiers lost his life while four terrorists surrendered.
    During the trip, the Chief of Army also arrested four other suspected Boko Haram members after picking them from the midst of herdsmen.
    As Buratai’s convoy made its way to Dikwa, eagle eyed soldiers grew suspicious of some men among the herdsmen and their cattle.
    The COAS ordered the convoy to stop and got four men and an elderly Fulani man arrested.
    The Fulani man confessed during interrogation that he met the suspects just before their arrest and had actually forced themselves on his party.
    The four confessed that they were indeed members of the terror sect and whisked off to Maiduguri.

  • Army clears terrorists’ camp in Borno

    The 7 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Saturday cleared Gudumbali town in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State of terrorists.
    Agency reports quoting the acting Director,Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the effort was part of the continued offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists.
    Some terrorists were killed and their weapons and equipment destroyed during the operation according to Usman.
    Usman recalled that the Air Force inflicted severe damage on the terrorists’ camps within the general area last Monday.

  • Photos: FGN delegation condoles with Borno government

    Photos: FGN delegation condoles with Borno government

    L-R; Leader of Federal Government Delegation and National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno condole the Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima and the El-Kanemi Shehu of Bornu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai over the death of the State’s Deputy Governor later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State.
    L-R; Leader of Federal Government Delegation and National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno condole the Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima and the El-Kanemi Shehu of Bornu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai over the death of the State’s Deputy Governor later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend in Maiduguri Bornu State.
    Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima welcomes Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Social Events., Mr Sarki Abba, Permanent Secretary General Service Office, Office of the SGF, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar and National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno. With them is Alhaji Kyari Monguno left when federal Government delegation visit to Bornu on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor, later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State
    Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima welcomes Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Social Events., Mr Sarki Abba, Permanent Secretary General Service Office, Office of the SGF, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar and National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno. With them is Alhaji Kyari Monguno left when federal Government delegation visit to Bornu on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor, later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State
    The El-Kanemi Shehu of Bornu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai receives the Federal Government Delegation led by the National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno, Permanent Secretary General Service Office, Office of the SGF, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Social Events., Mr Sarki Abba and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu. With them is Kyari Monguno left during a condolence visit on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor, later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State
    The El-Kanemi Shehu of Bornu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai receives the Federal Government Delegation led by the National Security Adviser to the President Major General Babagana Monguno, Permanent Secretary General Service Office, Office of the SGF, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Social Events., Mr Sarki Abba and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu. With them is Kyari Monguno left during a condolence visit on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor, later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend in Maiduguri, Bornu State
    Leader of Federal Government delegation and National Security Adviser to the President, Major General Babagana Monguno with the Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima during a condolence visit on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State
    Leader of Federal Government delegation and National Security Adviser to the President, Major General Babagana Monguno with the Bornu State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima during a condolence visit on the death of the State’s Deputy Governor later Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha at the weekend Maiduguri Bornu State
  • Buhari, Atiku, TUC mourn Borno deputy governor

    Buhari, Atiku, TUC mourn Borno deputy governor

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday eulogised the late Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha.

    He extolled his  commitment to excellence and service.

    In a tribute to Alhaji Zannah, read on his behalf by the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), who led a presidential delegation to condole with the government and people of Borno State, Buhari said the young, hardworking politician would be missed.

    Former Vice President and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said the death of Zanna was a great loss to the generation of young politicians.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “His was a life of service and excellence as attested to by many people who interacted with him,”

    He prayed that Almighty Allah would comfort members of Zanna’s family as well as the government and people of Borno State, on his sudden death, and grant the late deputy governor a peaceful rest.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, who received the delegation in company of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai El-Kanemi; the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar Ibrahim El-Kanemi and the Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Abba Tor-Masta, described the late deputy governor as a perfect deputy who was “simply irreplaceable”.

    The governor thanked President Buhari for his sympathy and the solidarity of the Federal Government with the  government and the  people of the state.

    He expressed  the people’s  appreciation of the effort by the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency, which, he said was yielding positive results.

    Other members of the presidential delegation were Alhaji Bukar Goni, the permanent secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household Matters, Mohammed Sarki Abba and the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    In a condolence message from his Media Office in Abuja, Atiku said the death was a big loss.

    He expressed deep grief at the death of such a vibrant politician, whom he said, represented the hopes and aspirations of new-breed politicians.

    The former Vice President said the fact that the late Zannah proved himself in office in a crisis-ridden state, such as Borno reinforced his faith and confidence in the abilities of young politicians.

    He said if given the opportunities, youths could prove themselves in every role, adding that the deceased was a perfect and shining example of what young politicians could achieve if given the opportunity.

     

  • Borno deputy governor dead

    Borno deputy governor dead

    Borno State Government has confirmed the death of the Deputy Governor of the State Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.

     The announcement which officially confirms the demise of Alhaji Mustapha was contained in a press release signed by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, fwc.

     The statement explained that the deputy governor died in his sleep  in Yola while on an official visit to Adamawa State.

     The Statement reads in parts: “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing awy of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.

    “ He died in his sleep this morning in Yola, Adamawa State where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

     “He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency

     “His  remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri  at 4pm today, Saturday, 15th August, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri,” the statement said.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima has described the death of his deputy as an irreparable loss, while extending his condolence to the family of the late deputy governor and the entire people of Borno state. He also called for the repose of his soul.

    “His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late Deputy Governor,” the statement said.