The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Maiduguri

  • Baby with open heart dies ahead of surgery

    Baby with open heart dies ahead of surgery

    Baby Aisha, born with an open heart died early hours of Tuesday at the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    The Nation learnt that with the N2.5 million and N3m donated by Yobe State Government and the First Lady Aisha Buhari respectively, baby Aisha was set to be flown to Enugu to undergo surgery in a Special Centre which has partnership with UK specialists already in the country.

    The Uncle of the Baby, Arama Mustapha who broke the news of the death to our correspondent said that he is heart broken over the death of the child.

    “I have just received a call from the mother of the child a few minutes ago that the baby is dead. She called me around 3.06am and broke the news to me. I am really heart broken over the turn of event but my prayers is for Allah to grant her eternal rest,” Arama said.

    The Chairman Medical Advisory Council(CMAC) UMTH Dr. Mohammed Bashir confirmed the news to our correspondent.

    “It is very sad that the baby passed away early hours of Tuesday. It’s very sad that she could not make it,” the CMAC said.

    Dr. Pius Simon, the Consultant Neonatologist who was managing the baby ahead of her operation also confirmed the development, describing it as “a sad development”.

    He informed that the baby died of infection because the heart has overstayed outside the chest wall for too long.

  • Photo: Found Chibok girl arrives with baby

    Photo: Found Chibok girl arrives with baby

  • Six die in Maiduguri explosion

    Six die in Maiduguri explosion

    Six people have been confirmed dead in an explosion, which yesterday rocked the busy Musa Usman Secretariat main gate in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The Chairman, Borno State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Satomi Ahmed, while briefing Governor Kashim Shettima and his deputy, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, who visited the scene, said one policeman was killed, adding that five civilians also died. He said six people were injured.

    Satomi, an engineer, said the bodies, including that of the suicide bomber, have been taken to the State Specialists Hospital.

    He said the injured have also been taken to the hospital.

    An eyewitness said the incident occurred about 11:40am, alleging that it was carried out by a male suicide bomber.

    The area has been cordoned off by the military and men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).

    The Nation recalls that a suicide bomber on Wednesday killed himself in an attempt to enter a mosque at Sulimanti ward in Maiduguri. Six people were injured.

    The military is yet to issue a statement on the incident.

  • Suicide bombing averted in Maiduguri mosque

    Suicide bombing averted in Maiduguri mosque

    The troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with the Civilian JTF on Tuesday averted an attempt by the Boko Haram terrorists to carry out suicide bombing at  Sulaimant, on the  outskirts of Maiduguri.

    A terrorist carrying Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attempted to attack worshippers at Sulaimanti mosque during the early morning prayers.  He was, however, prevented from gaining access to the mosque.

    Five civilians were injured during the incident .

    Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) personnel have detonated the remaining IEDs and combed the area.

    The injured have been evacuated to hospital, while troops and security agents have intensified patrol in the area.

    The Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brig.- Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has visited the community. He commiserated with them and reminded them of their civic responsibility to arrest or report suspected persons to security agents.

  • NSCDC deploys 200 personnel to Boko Haram liberated towns

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 200 of its personnel to Boko Haram liberated towns in Borno.

    Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    “We have already deployed 100 to Dikwa and we are preparing 30 for Munguno, while 20 of our men were drafted to Nganzai Local Government Area.

    “Some of them are already in Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas.

    “The officers include special armed squad and counter terrorism squad.

    “Also officers in the Anti-riot Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Unit, Intelligence and Detective Unit as well as Rescue and Medical Team will also be deployed to all the liberated towns in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    The Commandant commended Borno government for its support which had enabled the corps serve the country better.

     

  • Bosso: Our fans happy to see us back in Maiduguri

    Bosso: Our fans happy to see us back in Maiduguri

    El Kanemi Warriors technical adviser, Ladan Bosso has said that his wards will not play under pressure when they host Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in a week 11 of the Nigeria Professional Football League in Maiduguri today.

    The Borno Armies will play its first league match at the El Kanemi Stadium Maiduguri after three years of playing at its adopted home ground at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.

    The Warriors was banished to Katsina due to insecurity in Borno State.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Bosso confirmed that the stadium was full to its capacity during their training session on Friday evening.

    “3SC game is like any other match we have played in the past. The only difference is that we are playing in front of more fans unlike when we were playing in Katsina. We are not going to play under pressure because the fans are for us,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Bosso has heaped praises on referee Daniel Akume from Makurdi who officiated their week 10 league game against Rivers United at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port-Harcourt on Wednesday.

    Bosso believes Akume performed creditably well on Wednesday despite its team’s 1-0 loss to Rivers United.

    It is understood that Rivers United versus El Kanemi Warriors game was Akume’s first official assignment in the NPFL.

     

     

  • Gaidam tasks UniMaid to research on Boko Haram

    Yobe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has tasked University of Maiduguri to conduct research on the causes and come out with possible solution on the Boko Haram crisis.
    According to him, the university having situated at the heart of Boko Haram insurgency is can play a great role  of establishing  academic programme that would reduce or prevent violent extremism, start socio-economic and psycho-social intervention projects in response to humanitarian crises brought by Boko haram insurgency in the Northeast. 
    The governor, who spoke while receiving Fund Raising Committee of University of Maiduguri for its 40th Anniversary praised the institution for the success it has made so far in producing leaders and scholars in the country since its establishment in 1976.
    “One of the hall-mark of a university is the ability to embark on innovative use of its knowledge base and research findings to address challenges facing the immediate environment.
    “I want to believe that being situated at the central point of Boko Haram insurgency, the university is undoubtedly placed in a better position y]to conduct deep research into the phenomenon of Boko Haram extremism than any other institution of learning. In this regard, we expect the University to think in terms of mounting academic program to reduce or prevent violent extremism as well as start socio-economic and Psyco-social intervention projects in response to the humanitarian crisis brought about by the Boko Haram insurgency…,” Gov. Gaidam said.
    Gaidam also  advised Islamic scholars in the country to take the challenge of educating  misguided and misleading representation of Islam to the youths by some  extremist groups.
    The governor noted his commitment to education and human capital development with the establishment of Yobe  State University  adding that  huge budgetary allocation to education remains the priority of his administration.
    “The investment yielded dividend because Yobe University has scored 100 percent success in its first accreditation exercise. A total of 29 academic programmes were presented. At the end of the exercise, 27 programme were granted full accreditation while 2 were granted interim accreditation” he said
    He pledged to  continue with the  collaboration between Yobe state government and the University of Maiduguri.
    The governor ordered for the immediate release of the sum of N30 million as part of Yobe state support for the 40TH anniversary of the institution.
    Earlier, University`s Vice Chancellor, represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Haruna Godowoli, had unveiled the reason of the visit to the governor and request his attendance for the 40th anniversary and convocation of the university.
      
    He noted that the university programme was never once interrupted by the Boko Haram crisis in the state.
  • Boko Haram: Over 500 trapped in Gwoza hills at risk

    Boko Haram: Over 500 trapped in Gwoza hills at risk

    • children dying of malnutrition, hunger, diseases

    Close to 600 people hitherto trapped in the Gwoza hills by Boko Haram and rescued by the Nigeria Army are at high risk without humanitarian assistance.

    Our correspondent gathered from reliable sources that some of the people were rescued from the Zalidva hills in Gwoza Local Government of Borno State are currently squatting with soldiers at  a primary school in Pulka, while others are lurking in  petrol filling stations without food, shelter and Medicare.

    More disturbing is the reports that children are dying in droves of malnutrition, hunger and sicknesses, a source disclosed.

    Yohana Adamu, a Zalidva man among the rescued informed that their children are dying for lack of food, water, and lack of medical care, while calling on the Federal Government and Borno State government to urgently come to their aid.

    A vigilante source in Pulka disclosed that “about 303 people trapped in the hills by BH have been rescued by soldier last Sunday, but these people need food, shelter and med care. There is a lot of humanitarian crises here.

    “In addition to that a week earlier, we rescued 274 from Zalidva hills. All are in need of food and medical care since they can’t be evacuated to Maiduguri IDPs camps. People are dying of hunger and sicknesses. These people need urgent assistance from all angels,” the source said.

    Investigation revealed that a greater percentage of the people rescued are children and women.

     

  • Troops kill 7 Boko Haram terrorists in ambush

    Luck ran out on seven Boko Haram terrorists as they were killed in an ambush at Dawashi by troops of 7 Brigade in Maiduguri on Sunday morning.

    A statement signed by Acting  Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman also said some items were recovered from the terrorists including petrol, IEDs, 1 AK-47 and a Peugeot Station Wagon.

    The statement read; “Troops of 7 Brigade have ambushed and killed 7 Boko Haram terrorists at Dawashi early this morning. The gallant troops that laid in wait at the terrorists suspected crossing point engaged them on sight, killed the 7 terrorists and recovered 1 Peugeot Station Wagon loaded with 2,010 litres of Premium Motor Spirit packed in 67 Jerri cans, uniforms, some materials and Improvised Explosive making Devices (IEDs). Others items recovered include, dry cell batteries, 1 AK-47 rifle, tools and fish”.

  • El Kanemi write LMC to return to Maiduguri

    El Kanemi write LMC to return to Maiduguri

    The management of El Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri has re-appealed to League Management Company (LMC) to reconsider its decision to suspend their home matches in Maiduguri by returning the team to his base in Bornu.

    The Bornu Army has been playing its home matches at the Karkanda Stadium, Katsina for two years  due to the security situation in Maiduguri.

    In a letter signed by the team’s secretary, Tahiru Bala, the club said Maiduguri is now safe to host matches, claiming that the money spent to prosecute matches in Katsina is taking a toll on the team.

    The statement read in part: “I am directed to once again write and appeal to your esteem office to reconsider your decision to suspend our home matches in Maiduguri by returning us to our base in Bornu State capital.

    “Two years have passed  and we endured playing away from Maiduguri with lots of difficulties. While we appreciate your interest in safeguarding our collective security interest by your action, we want to draw your attention to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the war against the insurgents whose activities were the reasons behind our suspension.

    “Today Grade A matches are played in Maiduguri, with an example of full capacity stadium in our friendly match against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi last year, and the recent Shehu of Borno  Cup final this year which saw a tumultuous crowd of spectators with the Shehu of Bornu in attendance. All these are testimonies to the peace enjoyed in Maiduguri, the state capital.”

    It added: “I want to also inform you that our team, El Kanemi Warriors is running the league on a very expensive position because of the away from home factor, for instance we left Makurdi last Thursday to Katsina instead of going to Maiduguri for our home match. And in Katsina, we spent four nights for our match  against Enyimba which cost us N1,000,000 for accommodation and N320,000 for feeding minus officials’ accommodation and allowance and match expenses.”

    The letter read further: “It is sad to also inform you that even the Katsina State Stadium management, Karkanda has opted to increase their stadium charges on us  by N100,000 per match and failure to meet up their pay will close the gates of the stadium because of pressure from the revenue task force and consultant of the state.

    “It is due to the above factors coupled with the peace that has returned to Maiduguri that we are saying we can no longer stand the unfair punishments from your side and our host thus forcing us to say we are opting to withdraw from the league if Maiduguri will not host our next home match which is after the MFM encounter in Lagos. By this position I am directed to convey to you our position which is, we are only playing our match against Ifeanyi Ubah in Maiduguri not Katsina.”