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Tag: Maiduguri

  • Seven die as security foils suicide attack on Maiduguri

    Seven people including three suicide bombers were Monday killed in Maiduguri after the bombers were prevented from entering the city from a village very close to Maiduguri.

    The suicide attacks according to sources occurred in  Shuwari village behind Molai Kura  community as well as along Maiduguri- Damboa -Biu road leaving  three of the suicide bombers and four other civilians killed.

    A security source revealed that one of the suicide attacks was foiled by some dogs and members of the civilian JTF AT Mammanti Village.

    The source revealed that the three suicide bombers  were intercepted by dogs at mammanti village, adding that , “with the  quick intervention by members of civilian JTF in collaboration with the gallant military troops, all the suicide bombers were killed without any other  casualty.

    Our reporter gathered  that the first explosion was carried out by a female suicide bomber in Shuwari village, about 10km away from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, leaving only the suicide bomber dead with no other casualty, while the other incident at Mainari village near Molai was carried out by two suicide bombers who disguised as cart- pushers hide  their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) pretending  to be local hawkers of fresh mangoes and oranges where they succeeded in infiltrating  some waiting vehicles and passengers for military escort to Damboa before detonating his IED killing four other civilians.

    The source disclosed that security operatives at Molai Check Point swang into action after the attack with the help of   civilian JTF and humanitarian workers and evacuated the dead bodies of the victims and the injured to hospital.

    Confirming the multiple attacks, Borno State  Police Commissioner, Mr. Damian Chukwu said, “On 24 /04 /17, information just received indicates, today at about 0510hrs, three female suicide bombers attempted to enter Mamanti village Jere LGA but  they were intercepted by Civilian JTF.

    “In the process, one of the suicide bombers detonated the IED strapped to her body killing her alone. The other two tried to escape but were shot dead by security personnel on duty.

    “The command EOD personnel were promptly drafted to the scene to sanitize & render the area safe.

    “Again at about 0730hrs, another suicide bomb incident was foiled at Mainari kanuri village along Damboa/Biu road in the outskirt of Maiduguri town.

    “A suspected BHT, disguised as a cart pusher was intercepted by residents of the community.

    “He detonated IED on his cart, killing himself and three nearby civilians, while two other civilians sustained injuries. Both scenes have since been rendered safe and normally restored,” the Commissioner said.

     

     

  • 55 people died in military detention centre in Maiduguri in 5 months—Group

    A human rights group, Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, has disclosed that 55 people died during the course of investigation of their alleged link with Boko Haram at the Giwa Barracks detention facility in Maiduguri between December 2016 and April 2017.

    Amnesty International has however described Giwa Barracks as a place of death where they accused Nigerian military of arbitrarily detention of Boko Haram suspects causing the death of over 240 people including about 29 children.

    The army has since denied the report. In a fact finding mission of human right violation by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Country Representative of Global Amnesty Watch Foundation, Helen Adesola, in a press briefing in Maiduguri disclosed that 55 people died at the military detention camp in Maiduguri.

    According to her, those deaths occurred before 593 Boko Haram suspects were cleared and handed over to the Borno State government for rehabilitation at Bulumkutu rehabilitation centre. Mrs Adesola noted that their findings resulting to the causes of the death was as a result of “heat wave” instead of meningitis as was reported in the media.

    “Medically, the treatment and prevention for heat waves is the exposure of the detainees to fresh air and proper hydration. This the centre is doing as the detainees are being brought out into the open to sit under trees and adequate drinking water is being provided

    “The detention facility, like many other communities dealing with this kind of issues requires additional intervention to ensure that authorities are able to better cater for sick inmates,” Adesola explained She called on the Borno State government to be in the driver’s seat in the rehabilitation of over 593 cleared detainees who are mostly citizens and residents of the state, stressing that, “The Borno State government must not abandon them even though they are being held on the suspicion of their linkages with Boko Haram terror group,” .

    The Foundation, unlike Amnesty International which sees Nigeria military as huge violators of human rights at Giwa Barrack said the Nigerian Army, is doing all within its power to ensure the wellbeing of detainees in custody, but however express need for an improvement.

  • 30, 000 Borno IDPs return from Cameroon

    The Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled the state at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency have returned home.

    Malam Abdullahi Umar, the Spokesman of the agency, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Wednesday that the figure was part of the 78,000 IDPs that fled the state to Cameroon during the period.

    Umar said that the returnees were part of the 43,000 of the IDPs that signified interest to return home.

    He said the IDPs were being kept in a camp at Banki in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that a team of SEMA officials had already visited the camp to assess their condition.

    “The SEMA Executive Secretary, Malam Alkali Goni, has led a delegation of the agency to Banki to assess the conditions of the IDPs,” he said.

    The spokesman also said that the IDPs had been assured that the State Government had made adequate provisions for their welfare.

    He quoted Alhaji Baba Shehu, the Caretaker Chairman of the local government, as thanking the state government for the gesture and promising judicious use of the items donated.

     

  • 250 IDP’S for WASSCE in Maiduguri

    250 IDP’S for WASSCE in Maiduguri

    No fewer than two hundred and fifty internally displaced persons, mostly children are currently engaged in this year’s West African Senior School Certficate examination in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    This development is coming at the directives of Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima that some of the students displaced along with their parents be evaluated to sit for the exam so  as to continue with their education.

    The chairman, Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Ahmed Satomi who monitored the students’  participation at three centers in Maiduguri, said those writing passed a special mock exam conducted for about 1,000 IDPs students  who were in their final year at secondary schools before they were displaced.

    Satomi said the students underwent special classes and comprehensive tutorials organised for them in camps with volunteer tutors who took part in guiding all SS3 IDP’s through WAEC syllabus.

    Our correspondent gathered it was the first time IDPs’ students are writing the WAEC since they were forced out of their homes by Boko Haram insurgents at different times in 2014.

    The demographic distribution of the students include 94 females and 156 males who were once victims of insurgency.

    Satomi said:  “The students were   first evaluated and enrolled into four senior secondary schools, and provided with free uniforms, sandals, bags and books in addition to special tutorials after school hours to enable them catch up.

    “The government released funds to the Borno State Emergency Management Agency which we used in paying the WAEC fees of all the students. As you know, in Borno, the state government pays for WAEC but parents pay a counterpart of N6., 500 as a show of commitment.

    “So, what SEMA paid was the counterpart since the government already paid for all WAEC students across Borno State. Mock exam was organised for over 1,000 IDP’S but out of them, 250 did well and were believed to be emotionally and academically set for this year’s WAEC. The governor also asked us to secure JAMB forms for all of them which is being done, we hope that they will all do well and become eligible for university admission by end of the year.”

  • 250 IDPs to write WAEC in Maiduguri

    250 IDPs to write WAEC in Maiduguri

    • 94 girls, ‎156 boys

    Not fewer than two hundred and fifty Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), mostly children are currently engaged in this year’s West African Examination Council’s examination in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    This development is coming at the directives of Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima that some of the students displaced along with their parents be evaluated to sit for the exam and continue their education.

    The Chairman, Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Engr Ahmed Satomi ‎who monitored the IDPs participation at three centres in Maiduguri on Wednesday, disclosed that the 250 IDP’S were those who passed a special mock exam conducted for about 1,000 IDPs students who were in final year at secondary schools before they were displaced.

    The Chairman said the students underwent special classes and comprehensive tutorials organised for them in camps on the orders of Governor Shettima with volunteer tutors from some local NGOS, some aides of Governor Shettima and some graduates associated with the Governor took part in guiding all SS 3 IDP’s through WAEC syllabus.

    Our correspondent gathered it was the first time IDPs’ students are writing the WAEC since they were forced out of their homes by Boko Haram insurgents at different times in 2014.

    IDPs students writing exams in maiduguri
    IDPs students writing exams in Maiduguri

    The demographic distribution of the students included 94 female students and 156 male students drawn from hundreds of students whose schools and communities were attacked ‎by Boko Haram resulting in their displacement.

    The 250 students are mostly from Kukawa, Gwoza, Ngala, Bama, Monguno, Guzamala and Nganzai local government areas.

    The students who took the practicals exams today Wednesday at three designated WAEC centres in Maiduguri which include Government College, Government Girls College and ‎Mustapha Umar Elkanemi Arabic Teachers College all in Maiduguri.

    The Borno SEMA boss further explained that, “the students were first evaluated and enrolled into four senior secondary schools: Government Secondary School, Jajeri, Govt Girls Second school, Yerwa, Govt College, Maiduguri and Government Girls College Maiduguri and provided with free uniforms, sandals, bags and books in addition to special tutorials after school hours to enable them catch up after missing school due to displacement.

    “Governor Kashim Shettima released funds to the Borno State Emergency Management Agency which we used to pay the WAEC fees of all the students. As you know, in Borno, the State ‎Government pays for WAEC but parents pay a counterpart of N6,500 as a show of commitment.

    “So, what SEMA paid was the counterpart since the Government already paid for all WAEC students across Borno State. Mock exam was organised for over 1,000 IDP’S but out of them, 250 did well and were believed to be emotionally and academically set for this year’s WAEC. The Governor also asked us to secure JAMB forms for all of them which is being done, we hope that all of them will do well to become eligible for University admission by end of the year,” Satomi said.

    ‎He added that “Governor Shettima had authorized the purchase of JAMB forms for the 250 students while some of the 1,000 IDP’S who showed some good signs after the mock exams are likely to sit for exams to gain entry into other tertiary schools even though they will undergo more tutorials to prepare them for next WAEC examinations in their communities since Government doesn’t hope that they remain in IDP’S by next year”.

  • Police confirms foiled suicide attack on Maiduguri

    The police in Maiduguri, Borno State, have confirmed the attempted suicide attack on Maiduguri by two suicide bombers.

    Police spokesperson Victor Isuku said only the bombers died.

    He said: “Today, at about 04.38hrs, two male suicide bombers detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by Bukar Gujari filling station in Muna Garage, Maiduguri, killing themselves alone. A truck was partly damaged.

    “Also at Dusuma village in Jere council, a suicide bomber detonated his IED almost at the same time, killing himself. One person was injured.”

  • Police confirm seven dead in Borno multiple attack

    Police confirm seven dead in Borno multiple attack

    The Borno Police Command, on Wednesday confirmed the death of seven persons in a multiple suicide attack in Maiduguri.

    Mr Damian Chukwu, the Commissioner of Police told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suicide bombers targeted three “unauthorized” Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Muna area of the city.

    He said that the first attack was at a camp sheltering displaced persons mainly from Gulumba community in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

    “All together seven persons were killed made up of three suspected suicide bombers and four innocent Nigerians.

    “The attack happened around 4.30 am on Wednesday around Muna area of the metropolis.

    “The first attack took place at a place called Gulumba where IDPs mainly from Gulumba community are staying.

    “The suicide bomber sneaked in and detonated his explosive killing himself, a woman and a kid, nine others were also injured.

    “The second attack occurred in a place called Muna Dagalti in the same environment where unauthorized IDPs are staying.

    “The suicide bomber detonated his explosive inside the tent killing himself and one other person, six others were injured.

    “The third attack was at a place called Muna Baya where the suspected suicide bomber met some Muslim faithful performing ablution for early Morning Prayer.

    “He ran to them and detonated his explosive killing himself and one other person, four others were also injured.”

    NAN reports that an official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), however, said five suspected suicide bombers were involved in the attacks.

    NEMA North East Information Officer Malam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, in a statement in Maiduguri, said five suicide bombers and three innocent people died in the attack.

    “Series of bomb blasts have occurred in three locations around Muna Garage area of Maiduguri metropolis. The incidents occurred at about 4 am.

    “A total of five suicide bombers all male adults were involved in the incidents killing three persons,” he added.

    According to the NEMA spokesman, 20 people with various degree of injuries were administered with first aid by emergency response teams before they were transported to the state specialist hospital.

    He said that the remains of the dead have been deposited in the mortuary.

     

  • In Maiduguri, a Kanuri cap for Tinubu

    In Maiduguri, a Kanuri cap for Tinubu

    He was in Borno State to inaugurate projects but Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ended up with a Kanuri cap on his head and a doctors’ quarters named after him. It was a mark of the warm reception he received, TUNDE RAHMAN reports 

    He moved with the agility of a 40-year-old. He was strong and sprightly. For over six hours he was moving from one point to another, from one Borno remote village to another, inaugurating project after project. The strength and agility he demonstrated surprised not a few. At some point, some people began to stay back in the vehicles to watch proceedings. But not Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He kept on surging forward. He did not betray any tiredness; he was his usual self, strong and sprightly. He would alight from the car swiftly, head for the next port of call, deliver his speech brilliantly and inaugurate the project with admiration. The former Lagos State governor was in Borno State from Monday, March 6 to Tuesday, March 7 to inaugurate some of the projects embarked upon by Governor Kashim Shettima.

    In Borno, he received a hero’s welcome. From Maiduguri International Airport to the venue of each of the numerous projects inaugurated on the occasion and to Borno State Government House where he was accommodated during the two-day visit, the reception accorded him and his entourage was warm and massive.

    It must be pointed out that the visit had been planned for a long time and was arranged primarily for the All Progressives Congress National Leader to inaugurate the projects executed by Governor Shettima, and nothing more. Tinubu is not the only one lined up to inaugurate Shettima’s projects. But he was the one who set the project inauguration ball rolling for Governor Shettima, and admiringly so. Other personalities are also in line to inaugurate projects at a later date.

     

    Maiduguri Airport…

    the red carpet

     

    Tinubu and his entourage arrived at the airport in Maiduguri around 11 am that fateful Monday. On the entourage were APC Interim Chairman and former Osun State governor, Chief Bisi Akande; Political Leader and former Presidential Liaison Officer, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, the Muttawali Borno; Senator Gbenga Obadara from Ogun State and a few of Tinubu’s aides including this writer.

    They arrived into the waiting hands of Governor Shettima, his cabinet members and security men. There were entertainers in place. A red carpet was laid for him from the tarmac to the vehicle waiting to convey him. The governor more or less shut down the entire state machinery for the APC leader. Everybody that is important in the state government was at the airport. The issue was not who was there, it was who was n’t and missed the epoch-making ceremony. Many say that kind of reception is uncommon in the history of the state.

     

    Projects, projects & more projects 

     

    Airport reception and introduction ceremonies over, the work, which brought the august visitors to the state, began in earnest.  The train moved from the airport directly to the first port of call: the Benisheik General Hospital, some 25 kilometres away. The hospital was inaugurated amid celebration. Destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency, it was rebuilt by Governor Shettima to provide healthcare to the people and help in elongating their lives. A total of 432 resettlement houses for victims of Boko Haram insurgency, 26 luxury apartments for medical doctors and 13 schools, general hospitals and primary healthcare centres were inaugurated by Tinubu. Most of the projects are in five villages of Ngamdu, Benisheikh, Mainta Kururi, Tassukawu, Mainok and Auno located in Kaga and Konduga Local Government areas of the state. In these villages, you find the schools, general hospitals and health centres completely ruined by Boko Haram now rebuilt by the governor.

    The classrooms were well equipped. There was a special emphasis on the girl-child education. Residential houses were built for teachers. There is also arrangement for school-feeding in place in the state. Some of the projects also centre on agriculture-projects like 10ha drip irrigation scheme, fish ponds, etc.

     

    From Benisheikh to Jimitilo

     

    From Benisheikh, Tinubu and his entourage proceeded to Jimitilo Town to officially declare open the Jajal Primary School. From Jimitilo, the team moved to Auto for the inauguration of Trampolin Fish Ponds, Auno 10ha Drip Irrigation Scheme, Auto Clinic and Housing Estate. From there, all roads led to Jakana Town where Jakana 10ha Drip irrigation Scheme and Jakana Primary School were formally opened.

    The team eventually returned to the Government House around 6 pm on that first day to freshen up for the dinner organised for Tinubu and his entourage. The dinner was laced with cultural displays by various groups including the Yoruba group with dancers and drummers, who the Master of Ceremonies said had lived in Maiduguri for over 30 years. “They were not brought from Lagos or any of the Yoruba states. They have lived with us for more than 30 years. They are Kanuri-Yoruba,” he said to a wild applause.

     

    ‘Shettima confronting extant challenge boldly’

     

    It was at the dinner that Tinubu gave one of his best speeches in recent times. Speaking extempore, he said: “It is a great honour for me to be here. I’m completely overwhelmed by the reception given me and my entourage. I was invited to inaugurate projects by a governor committed to his people. Governor Shettima is somebody I have so much respect for.

    “When I told a friend I was coming to Borno State, he asked if that was not where Boko Haram still engaged in occasional attacks. I said I would honour the invitation. I said Governor Shettima is a highly committed and courageous leader who is making changes in spite of the challenge.

    “He is confronting the new challenge boldly, the challenge of some shadowy and amorphous young people being used as pawns by a defeated Boko Haram engaging in end games.

    “Yes, there still a challenge but Governor Shettima has refused to be cowed. Governor Shettima’s story is not written yet. His leadership story is just unfolding for the world to see. What happened here would have weighed some others down. It would have discouraged some others.”

    To Governor Shettima, he said, “But you are not discouraged. You are determined. You are rebuilding the infrastructure that had been brought to ruins by Boko Haram, which is even more difficult. You are giving your people a new lease of life. I salute your courage.”

    Those gathered at the dinner held inside an expansive hall within the Government House applauded the APC leader at every turn. The audience included members of the State Executive Council, who had earlier taken turns to give Asiwaju and his team further briefing on their projects, members of Borno Elders Council, traditional rulers and party leaders.

    Tinubu continued: ”The projects I inaugurated are people-centred projects. For instance, the hospital I opened at Benisheik would help in providing good health and in elongating the lives of the people. I always hold the view that the provision of health services to the people is one of the rights of the people. Governor Shettima, you have reinforced that belief by what you have done.

    “I thank you for inviting me to come here. Thank you for the honour and hospitality you have given me and our team. Thank you for the good leadership you are demonstrating here. Thank you.”

     

    Extraordinary humility

     

    But it was Shettima’s profound speech, which set the tone for that speech by the APC Leader. The governor, who spoke first, began by paying tribute to Tinubu for his humility, noting that the attitude of his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, reveals the man in him. This is how he put it: ”There is an African saying (I think from Ethiopia) that often times, the true nature of a very powerful man, is easily seen from the character of his favourite wife. I recall that on Wednesday, 25th of November, 2015, about 10 Governors, mostly of the APC attended the funeral of Mama H.I.D Awolowo in Ikene, and after that funeral we all drove to Lagos in a bus straight to the residence of our National Leader, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Ikoyi. We actually went to see him off since he was inside the bus with us to the funeral.

    “I noticed that as soon as our bus reached the house, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu started rushing; in fact she was practically running to enter the house. She was completely acting in a true fashion of an African Woman. I kept wondering why she was in such a rush. As the wife of our National Leader, I was expecting the usual slow and proud walk of wives of powerful men. She had every reason to show pride after all, her husband is our leader and most of us, the Governors were all holding back ourselves in submission to the aura of Asiwaju.

    “To the shock of all of us, by the time we entered the residence of Asiwaju, his wife had moved straight into the kitchen in the midst of cooks, and you could see how free and friendly she was with the cooks. She began to bring food to our table by herself and some of us were not comfortable but she insisted. To our greater shock, she insisted on dishing out the food to each of us and members of our delegation. She served not less than 30 persons and also picked dishes herself to convey food to some of our aides seated outside. I must confess that my experience that very day was my closest contact with extraordinary humility in a wife of a very powerful man”.

     

    Rescue from Alhaji Allah

     

    Shettima also spoke about why the state decided to honour Tinubu not only by inviting him to come and inaugurate projects but also by naming the doctors’ apartments after him. He said it was to appreciate him for rescuing the APC in Borno ahead of the 2015 elections from the grip of one man he called ‘Alhaji Allah’. He said as governor, he succeeded in taking control of the Borno APC in 2015 largely because Tinubu refused to support the game plan of the ‘wealthy tyrant’.

    He said: “For us in Borno State APC, I must confess, that we owe our political freedom and independence to not only our firmness but importantly, to the wisdom and sincerity of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Someone has asked me yesterday and sought to know our reason not for inviting Tinubu for commissioning of projects but for naming a project after him in Borno State. I replied the person in five words by saying, it’s our show of gratitude.

    “Naturally, the person asked me, gratitude in what sense. I explained that after the APC was created in the build-up to the 2015 elections, we firmly resisted serious attempts by someone who wanted to completely hijack the entire party machinery with total disregard for our existence. But despite our resistance, that person would probably have had some oxygen if he had secured the support of Asiwaju. From day one, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was opposed to political tyranny in Borno State and was in support of our political freedom and democratic liberty”.

    Early on Tuesday, Tinubu proceeded to inaugurate the doctors’ apartments, named after him. It was again amid celebration. The quarters contain 26 apartments, in five sets of three-storey buildings. Speaking at the event, the APC leader thanked Governor Shettima for remembering the doctors. He said providing a good accommodation for the doctors was an encouragement for provision of quality healthcare services. He also said the gesture of naming the apartments after him would remain etched in his memory.

    Before leaving the Government House, Asiwaju Tinubu removed his traditional trademark Yoruba cap for the Kanuri cap gifted him by Governor Shettima. It was the first time many would see him don a cap different from his popular cap. It was in honour of the governor. After the opening of the doctors’ quarters, the delegation headed for the airport for departure formalities. Governor Shettima and his cabinet members were again complete at the airport to bid Asiwaju farewell.

     

    Situation in Maiduguri

     

    Now, how was Maiduguri generally, you may ask? It seemed generally calm. There are people on the streets. You would also glimpse security men including civilian members of the Joint Task Force at every turn. But the people still live in awe of Boko Haram suicide bombers. There are reports of suicide attacks in parts of the state and Maiduguri does not seem completely immune from the attack. Boko Haram is still engaged in desperate antics. Governor Shettima knows this so well. In his speech, he pleaded with Asiwaju and the authorities in Abuja to complete the job. Boko Haram should not be allowed to rear its ugly heads again, he said. The dreaded sect should be wrestled to the ground completely and exorcised.

  • Four die in bomb attack attempt in Borno

    Four die in bomb attack attempt in Borno

    The Borno Police Command on Sunday confirmed the death of four persons after an attempt by some suspected suicide bombers to infiltrate Maiduguri in Borno.

    Mr Victor Isuku, the spokesman of the command said in a statement in Maiduguri that three bombers had attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri at about 9.00 p.m. on Saturday.

    “At about 2100hrs of Saturday, three suicide bombers, a male and two female, attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri town through Umarari village in Molai general area.

    “They were sighted and challenged by civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) member, a government-approved militia group,’’ Isuku stated.

    He the bombers detonated the improvised explosive device strapped to their bodies while running in different directions and four persons died in the process.

    “Four people, including a civilian JTF, a woman and her two children died while eight others sustained injuries’’, Isuku said.

    The Boko Haram insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes.

    Although the Nigerian army, backed up by neighbours, has retaken most areas held by the group, the jihadists still operate in the area of Rann, slipping over the porous Cameroon border after attacks.(NAN)

  • FG empowers 5,200 IDPs in Borno – Official

    FG empowers 5,200 IDPs in Borno – Official

    More than 5,200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno have benefitted from the economic empowerment schemes of the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS) of the Federal Government.

    Mr Bala Ahmad, the Director of Engineering, Borno State Agricultural Development Programme (BOSADP), told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Monday that the beneficiaries were women and youths.

    Ahmad said that the programme, tagged ‘‘Community-based Agricultural and Rural Development Programme’’ of the Federal Government, was designed to improve the living standards of the beneficiaries.

    ‘‘The implementing agencies of the scheme are Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS), the Bank of Industry (BOI) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations.

    “The programme was launched in eight northern states where poverty is widespread; the states are Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara in the Northwest, as well as Borno and Yobe in the Northeast.

    “The programme targets a large section of the rural population, especially women, youths and the most vulnerable, as well as small-scale farmers.

    “In Borno, the beneficiaries, who are mostly persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency, are from seven councils which include Jere, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Konduga, Damboa, Bama, Biu and Benishaik.

    “The beneficiaries were asked to register as members of cooperative societies where they were divided into 30 groups.

    “They are to benefit from three basic programmes. The first group, comprising mostly women, was given hybrid cows to improve their livelihoods through the production of milk and other cattle-related products.

    “We engaged livestock facilitators who assisted the beneficiaries in selecting hybrid breed of cows that can yield quick returns.

    “Under the programme, some women were also supported with sewing and milling machines so as to enable them engage in groundnut and palm oil production,’’ he said.