The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Damaturu

  • Outrage in Damaturu over assault of journalist by Buni’s CSO

    Outrage in Damaturu over assault of journalist by Buni’s CSO

    There is uneasy calm in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital over alleged assault on a reporter with Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) by the Chief Security Officer(CSO) of Yobe Government House CSP Zakari Diba

    The incident, which occurred on Thursday at the Assembly Complex during the 2026 budget presentation by Governor Mai Mala Buni, has attracted wide reactions and condemnations within and outside the media circles.

    While many have demanded for the immediate disciplinary action against the police officer including removal from his current posting as the Government House CSO, some have demanded a written apology and a truce in the impasse.

    Yobe Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Yobe State in a letter dated 7th November, 2025 by the Chairman Rajab Ismail Mohammed and the Secretary Alhassan Malmudo demanded  the suspension of the erring CSO, thorough investigation, possible prosecution if found guilty and adequate compensation of the victim. 

    Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani, Yobe State Focal Person on Cyber and Information Technology in a direct letter to Gov. Buni called for the removal of CSP Zakari Diba from the Government House.

    He added that the action of the officer if not nibbling from the bud will jeopardize the relationship of the Governor with the press.

    The NTA chapel of Damaturu has also called for immediate and swift action against the CSO.

    The Nation reports that it took the intervention of the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture,  Abdullahi Bego and Police Commissioner to pacify the outraged journalists who almost boycotted the Governor’s budget presentation. 

    But CSO Diba apologised for the development. 

    In an exclusive chat with The Nation, he said he was sorry over the incident, adding that his Commissioner has also apologised for what happened.

    According to Diba, his years as a senior police office have equipped him enough to respect and hold journalists in high esteem. 

    He explained a miscommunication triggered the action but called on the journalists to move past the incident which he described as unfortunate.

    “I cannot deliberately molest a journalist. I didn’t even know this guy was a journalist when i was trying to control the crowd. 

    “Journalists are my friends and I cannot  set out to hurt any one of them. What happened is unfortunate. I cannot mention the details but we should move past this incident. I have apologised to what happened and my CP has also done so,” CSP Diba said..

  • Rector unveils reform plans for Poly

    Rector unveils reform plans for Poly

    The newly appointed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Bashir, has unveiled a robust reform agenda to revive the institution’s academic standards, increase enrollment, and integrate skills acquisition into the curriculum.

    Speaking with The Nation, he highlighted the urgent need to reposition the polytechnic in response to declining student enrollment and the broader educational challenges in Yobe State.

    “In 2025, our student intake dropped to just over 1,300,” he said. “This is concerning, especially for an institution of our capacity.”

    With Damaturu and its environs hosting several tertiary institutions, the Rector noted that the Federal Polytechnic has a competitive edge that must be innovatively harnessed.

    One of his key initiatives is integrating skills training into the academic curriculum, particularly targeting out-of-school children.

    “Yobe State reportedly has the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. We’re in talks with the state government to enrol 200 Almajiri children into skill acquisition programmes that will be certified and relevant to the job market,” he said.

    Bashir, previously with the National Board for Technical Education, announced 10 new programmes, including Water Resources Engineering, Health Information Management, Environmental Health and Disease Control, and Dispensing Optimisation.

    Read Also: Varsities, polys, others grapple with new operational guidelines

    He hopes they will attract more students and increase enrollment figures to around 10,000 in the coming years.

    The Rector said that although funding through TETFund remains limited, he has taken steps to secure international partnerships with academics and NGOs in the UK and Australia to support the institution.

    He assured staff of improved welfare and prompt handling of entitlements and promotions.

    Bashir said electricity was restored after three years following his intervention, and promised full renovation of hostels under the 2025 TETFund intervention, alongside a campus-wide water reticulation and landscaping project.

    He said construction works for a Career Development Centre and a Vocational Education Centre were underway following a 24-hour ultimatum to a previously non-performing contractor handling the development centre.

    He acknowledged that while institutional change is often gradual, over 60 per cent of staff have embraced the new direction.

    “Not everyone may agree at once, but we’re confident the results will speak for themselves as we give back to the community,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Fire guts Damaturu main market, destroys property worth millions

    JUST IN: Fire guts Damaturu main market, destroys property worth millions

    Traders at the Bayan Tasha market in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, were thrown into chaos after a fire destroyed properties worth millions of naira in the early hours of the morning.

    The inferno ravaged the popular market, leaving several shops, kiosks, and other structures in ruins. 

    The Nation’s findings revealed that property valued at millions of naira was lost in the blaze.

    Firefighters responded swiftly to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby residential areas. 

    Adamu Yaro, an official from the Yobe State Fire Service, confirmed the timely intervention. 

    Read Also: Vandals destroy Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri transmission tower

    “The fire was extinguished after we received a distress call in the early hours of December 3,” he said, adding that their efforts averted further damage.

    The incident has, however, reignited concerns among residents about the unused Damaturu Modern Market, which was built at great cost but remains locked, leaving traders to operate in vulnerable conditions.

  • Buratai commends troops over defeat of Boko Haram insurgents in Damaturu

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday, lauded the doggedness of gallant troops over defeat of Boko Haram insurgents at Maisadari community in the outskirts of Damaturu, Yobe.

    In a statement, Lt. Njoka Irabor, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed that the commendation was conveyed to the troops by the Theater Commander, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, on Thursday in Damaturu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gallant troops on Tuesday successfully foiled attempt by the insurgents to attack Maisandari community, killing many of them and destroying their equipment.

    Read also: Army kills scores of terrorists in Damaturu attack

    Akinroluyo, who addressed the troops at the 233 Battalion Headquarters, also applauded the efforts of the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, as well as law-abiding citizens for their support and cooperation which led to the successful defeat of the insurgents.

    He charged the troops to remain professional and responsive, so as to effectively deal with terrorists in their area of operation.

    The army chief stressed the need for synergy and collaborative efforts between the military and other security agencies to deny the terrorists any freedom to operate.

    Akinroluyo was briefed by the Commanding Officer, 233 Battalion, Lt.-Col. Ibrahim Mohammed.

    The commander was accompanied on the visit by the Acting Commander, Sector 2, Brig.-General Mohammed Dala, and the Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Akinniyi Oyelade. (NAN)

  • Boko Haram insurgents attack Damaturu

    Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, was reportedly attacked yesterday evening by Boko Haram.

    The attack, which came from the northeastern part of the town, created fears in the residents of Maisandari and Red Bricks Housing Estate in the metropolis.

    The violence, which began at about 5.30p.m., is said to have lasted for about an hour.

    A resident of Red Bricks, Ibrahim Usman,  who spoke with The Nation, said he was hiding in his house with fears over sporadic gunshots and heavy blasts from outside the estate.

    Usman also said he heard the sound of a fighter Jet pursuing the insurgents.

    “I can hear heavy blasts like bombs and sporadic gunshots from my house. We are all hiding inside. I can also hear the sound of Air Force Jet. We need prayers to stop this nonsense,” Usman said.

    Another resident, Modu from Maisandari, also confirmed hearing sounds of gunshots from his house, where he was hiding.

    A security source, who craved anonymity, said: “The entire town is on red alert due to the incident.”

    He asserted that soldiers have been deployed to stop the attack to avoid the insurgents from infiltrating the town.

    “Our guys got wind of the attack and have moved in swiftly to quell it in record time to avoid any escalation in the town. But what I can tell you is that the entire town is under red alert,” the source said.

     

     

  • UPDATED: Boko Haram launches fresh attack in Yobe

    Residents of Damaturu, Yobe State capitàl were thrown into fear on Tuesday following fresh attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Nation gathered that residents of Maisandari and Red Bricks Housing Estate were worst hit by the attack which lasted for about an hour.

    Read also: 112 Chibok girls now five years in Boko Haram captivity

    It was gathered that the attack occurred at about 5.30 pm.

    Speaking with our Correspondent, a resident of Red Bricks, Ibrahim Usman said he over-heard sporadic gunshots and heavy blasts from outside the estate.

    “I heard sound of heavy bomb blasts and sporadic gunshots from my house. I was  hiding inside. I also heard the sound of Airforce Jet. We need prayers to stop this nonsense,” Usman informed.

  • Breaking: Damaturu under Boko Haram attack

    Suspected Boko Haram fighters are reportedly in gun duel with military along Damaturu-Maiduguri road, Yobe state.

    Details shortly…

  • Low turnout of voters in Damaturu

    There is early low turnout of voters for the governorship and state house of assembly elections  in Damaturu, Yobe State capital as opposed to what happened during  Presidential and National Assembly Elections on 23rd, February 2019.
    Most of the polling units visited by our correspondent in Water Board, Bindigari, Mairi, Maisandari wards witnessed early low turnout of voters.
    The situation was however different at designated voting points of people from Gujba Local Government in Damaturu with high voters turnout.
    The Nation reports voting in Gujba was relocated to Damaturu due to security challenges in the area. The voters in the new arrangements are expected to cast their votes at Government Day Secondary School and Government Secondary School all in Damaturu.
    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Yobe State Ahmad Makama told reporters in an encounter during monitoring that its is too early to determine or conclude in the turn.
    According to him, “it is just one hour since voting started. You cannot therefore determine or conclude as to whether the turnout is low or high. But as far as i am concerned, the turnout is building up and viting continues till 2.00pm,” Makama said.
    He was also impressed with the smooth process that is going on, adding that, “no adverse case has been recorded and voting is going on smoothly from all the reports i got from my people in the field”.
    Some of the voters who have casts their votes are confident that their party, the APC is going to clinch victory at the end of the polls.
    Modu Ari from Goniri said the APC has no viable opposition inbYobe State so they are waiting for the declaration of their candidate, Mai Mala Buni as governor.
    Another voter, Aisha Aji who travelled from Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government cannot wait for the election to be over for her to celebrate Mai Mala’s victory.
    “Today we have do our part. We are not waiting for our governor Mai Mala to be declared so that we start celebration,” Aisha informed.
    A PDP agent at one of the polling unit in Damaturu said he was satisfied with the peaceful conduct of the elections so far.

  • Boko Haram attack stops Yobe gov from voting

    Yobe State governor Ibrahim Gaidam could not travel to Bukarti, his country home, in Yunusari Local Government Area of the state to vote due to an early morning attack on Geidam by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Abdullahi Bego, Director General, Media affairs to the governor, confirmed the development in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Damaturu.

    Bego stated that the governor could not partake in the exercise.

    “The security agencies would naturally seek to reinforce and increase security around the governor for him to travel to cast his vote.

    “The increased security around the governor will mean that vital security resources that are needed elsewhere in the state would have to be diverted and allocated to the governor,” the governor’s spokeperson said.

    NAN reports that the governor, in consultation with security agencies decided that it was more prudent to make the sacrifice.

    “It is better and more useful for the security agents, including soldiers, police, civil defence, DSS, to focus their attention on providing security for the election than devoting large security contingent for the governor to cast his vote,” Bego said.

    Read Also: Air Force destroys Boko Haram Camp in Borno

    Gaidam, who is also a senatorial candidate in the Presidential and National Assembly election, commended security agencies for their effort to ensure a peaceful and successful election across the State.

    Alhaji MaiMala Buni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Yobe, said adequate preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ensured the success of the elections.

    He made the observation after casting his vote on Saturday in Damaturu, saying the timely commencement of the elections, adequate provision of election materials and security to the electorate made the election successful.

    “The massive turn out of voters was encouraged by the security apparatus put in place and the commitment to the preparations made by INEC.

    “The turnout is very impressive and the momentum should be maintained,” he said.

    NAN

  • 2019: Python Dance III will swallow all criminals, says Army

    The Nigerian Army said it will crush all forms of criminality and provide an enabling environment for all citizens to performance their civic responsibilities in the forthcoming general elections through the Operation EGWU EKE III otherwise referred to as Python Dance.

    The Acting Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Baba Dala disclosed this at the August 27 Stadium Damaturu during the flag off of the exercise in Yobe State on Thursday.

    “The Nigeria Army remains apolitical in the discharge of her constitutional duties. But most importantly, I want to state here clearly that the python will swallow all kinds of criminality so as to ensure that all Nigerians gets a peaceful atmosphere to cast their votes in the coming general elections,” Brig. Gen. Dala said.

    Brig. Gen Dala informed that the Operation was launched by the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai with the aim of “reassuring the general public of the Federal Government’s commitment at protecting lives and property of Nigerian citizens by building confidence in their minds and creating an enabling environment for them to go about their legitimate activities before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Buratai flags off Python Dance III

    “The exercise is also planned to have operational edge based on actual intelligence. Hence, Exercise EGWU EKE III is conceptualized to combact real-time, the prevailing security challenges as observed, such as: stockpiling of arms by criminal groups, formation of militias and violence induced by political parties’ activities. It will checkmate other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, banditary and other criminal activities of dissident groups,” Gen. Dala informed.

    He also noted that the exercise will sharpen the skills of personale  in the conduct of  Military Operaions other than war, in flash points across the country in preparation for the forthcoming 2019 General Elections.

    The Sector 2 Commander informed that the exercise will be conducted in collaboration with other sister Services and Para-military Agencies, adding that, “it is believed that the exercise will foster civil-military relationship between the military and the good people of Yobe State”.

    Highlights of the flagging off of the Operation  Python Dance III by the Deputy Gov. Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who represented Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam at the occasion.