Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with the troops of Sector 4 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), killed several terrorists belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a thwarted attack in the North East of Arege, in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to intelligence sources, the ISWAP militants attempted to infiltrate the advancing troops’ harbor using a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) on May 10, 2023, at about 10:19 a.m.
Scene of the EID explosion
The terrorists encountered fierce resistance as the troops unleashed heavy firepower, taking out the approaching VBIED 300 meters from them.
The troops, with support from the Air Task Force, neutralized additional terrorists, while others were forced to flee.
Zagazola Makama, a popularncommentator y Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, confirmed the successful operation, highlighting the troops’ bravery and tactical expertise.
The operation’s success dealt a “significant blow to the ISWAP militants and bolstered the troops’ morale.”
There is a growing sense of unease among the current cabinet members in the Borno state government ahead of the compulsory end-of-term cabinet dissolution expected to be carried out by Governor Babagana Zulum before May 29th.
Rumours swirl that the governor, currently holidaying abroad, may soon announce the dissolution. But some people doubt if the second tenure cabinet would ever be differ from the current one.
The governor had, at the beginning of his first term, in 2019 promised to change his cabinet annually, to allow many other politicians who worked for the party during the 2019 elections to be carried along by his government.
However, despite this promise, Governor Zulum was unable to carry out his promise as he retained the cabinet, except for some little shakeups, throughout his first term of four years.
This has, no doubt, led to growing dissatisfaction among some party members, who feel that they have been excluded from the political process.
There is no questions that Governor Zulum has received widespread recognition and praise for his notable achievements over the last three years and eleven months. Nevertheless, some party members feel discontented as the Governor’s failure to execute his commitment to annual cabinet reshuffles may have deprived the government of opportunities for new and more innovative ideas.
Some of the outgoing commissioners are reportedly already lobbying to be carried along in the second and final term of Governor Zulum. However, it remains to be seen whether the governor will heed their requests or opt for a complete overhaul of his cabinet.
A top insider of the Zulum cabinet who spoke to this writer off-record hinted that the governor would “shock many people” by the time he took the oath of office on May 29.
“Everyone would answer his father’s name in the second term because there may be a lot of surprises,” the source said.
Across the board, the looming cabinet dissolution and the attendant high-wired lobbying underscores the challenges to be faced by Governor Zulum in managing the diverse interests of his party members and delivering on his promises to the people of Borno State.
As the governor prepares to commence his second term in office on May 29,/many will be watching closely to see how he navigates these complex political waters and steers the state towards progress and development as projected in his 25-year development plan and ten years action plan of Borno state.
Abdulkareem is our guest writer who is based in Maiduguri
The deputy governor of Borno state, Usman Kadafur, has identified poverty and single-minded allegiance to religious clerics by the uneducated populace as major contributing factors to the Boko Haram-induced insecurity in the region.
Kadafur explained that the people’s unreasonable reliance on some of the skewed teachings of clerics, without exposure to opposing views or access to alternative sources of knowledge, has fueled extremism in the state.
He noted that the majority of individuals in rural areas of Borno lack basic education, leaving them vulnerable to skewed religious teachings propagated by traditional clerics.
Kadafur’s statements highlight the urgent need for increased access to education as a means of promoting religious tolerance and countering extremist ideologies and even globalization.
The deputy governor made this comment while hosting executive intelligence management course (EIMC) from the Nigeria Institute for Security Studies, syndicate-3, who were in the state on a study tour.
Visiting members of syndicate-3, who are among 89 participants in an ongoing ten-month EIMC, were welcomed to the state by Mr. Kadafur.
The deputy governor praised the group’s visit, while hoping that their tour of assignment in the state would bring about solutions that would further supports the state’s post-insurgency recovery programme. He also highlighted the state government’s investment in the security sector over the past four years, which he said has resulted in the attainment of relative peace in the region.
Kadafur emphasized two key achievements of the state government: the formulation of a 25-year development plan and a ten-year strategic action plan, which serve as guides for post-insurgency programs.
“Our people are, by default, very religious,” Kadafur explained.
“Islam came to Borno centuries before it reached many other parts of Africa. As a result, our people tend to give more weight to the words of religious clerics than even those of their parents.”
The deputy governor’s comments highlight the importance of recognizing the cultural and religious context of Borno state when addressing security challenges and promoting social development. However, he noted that many people in the state lack access to education and are therefore susceptible to misguided teachings from religious clerics.
To address this trend, he said his boss, Governor Babagana Zulum, has invested in education and provided displaced individuals with opportunities for economic activity as they return to their ancestral homes.
These efforts are in line with the state’s 25-year development plan, which includes the successful return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
By prioritizing education and economic opportunities, the Borno state government is working to address root causes of conflict and promote long-term stability and prosperity in the region. This approach recognizes the importance of addressing underlying social and economic issues in addition to security concerns.
According to Adamu Abdul Shehu, a top official of the Institute, 15 participants from Syndicate 3 of the Executive Intelligence Management Courses team were in the state to engage with key stakeholders and gain a better understanding of the root cause of conflict.
Syndicate 3 is a part of the class of 89 participants enrolled in this year’s course of the EIMC. The remaining 74 participants are currently on study tours of five northern states in Nigeria, namely Kaduna, Kebbi, and Nasarawa.
Shehu explained that the participants are drawn from 35 agencies in Nigeria, as well as four African countries – Gambia, Niger Republic, Chad, and Rwanda. They are undergoing a 10-month course at the National Institute, which will lead to the award of Fellow Security Institute (FSI) if they are found worthy in character and learning.
He said the purpose of the course is to impact on the participants the required knowledge to address the dynamic and complex security challenges in the respective countries as well as foster interagency cooperation and international cooperation.
He said the theme of the cause for this year is Globalization And Regional Economic Integration; Implication For Sustainable Development In Africa.
As part of the requirement for the award of FSI, the participants will undertake local, state, regional, and world tours.
The leader of the delegation and a deputy director at the Institute, Ogbeshe, informed the syndicates would be visiting another six selected states in the south with the hope of assessing the situation, doing a peer review, and then making a comparison of their findings to produce a document that would prefer a better solution on how to improve the security to promote globalization.
“At the end of this, we will compile our findings and make a comprehensive presentation in an occasion which his excellency would be invited to witness and judge what we feel can be done better than what is going on right now.”
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has announced that it has invested a total of $604.6 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, providing support to farmers and facilitating sustainable agricultural development in the country. The investment was made through domestic and international co-financing between the years 2016 and 2023.
According to Mr. Abdulhameed Girai, the Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser, FGN/CPAT-Country Programme Advisory Team, over 5 million people across 28 states of Nigeria have benefited from viable interventions initiated by the program. The beneficiaries were under IFAD’s Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) in the past seven years.
Speaking at a two-day regional consultative workshop for Nigeria’s 2024-2029 project in Maiduguri, Mr. Girai highlighted some of the programs that IFAD has supported, including the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Programme (LIFE-ND), and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs).
The investment by IFAD in Nigeria’s agricultural sector is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and ensuring food security in the country. By providing viable interventions and support to farmers, IFAD aims to encourage sustainable agricultural development and create opportunities for rural communities.
The Nigeria Army Chief organized a luncheon for wounded soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai, a military force fighting Boko Haram terrorists around the Lame Chad region, to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
The luncheon was attended by the Theater commander, Major General Ibrahim S. Ali, who represented the army chief Lieutenant General Farouq Yahaya.
“I am indeed proud of you all and want to charge you to continue to remain focused, disciplined and loyal to our great nation,” said Major General Ali.
“We must continue to work with, synergized, and leverage on the competencies of our sister security services and other organizations in the discharge of our responsibility.”
He also highlighted the successes of the Nigerian Army in the Theatre of Operations across the country, stating that their collective efforts have provided the safe and secure environment needed for socioeconomic activities to thrive.
“We must continue to ensure that every criminal element and group in the country are completely eliminated,” he added.
The army chief’s remarks underscored the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in the fight against terrorism.
The luncheon was a way for him to show his appreciation for the bravery and dedication of the troops fighting against Boko Haram terrorists in the Lame Chad region, and to assure the injured soldiers that they would be supported throughout their healing period.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of North East Operation Hadin Kai, who was represented by his deputy, Maj. Gen. Koko Isong, stated that the theatre had stepped up its kinetic and non-kinetic operations, which have been crucial to the successes and gains achieved thus far.
He revealed that a total of 93,000 Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered to the troops, and he assured that they would not become complacent to prevent a reversal of the gains already made.
He also emphasized that the army will continue to adopt decisive and intensified strategies against the terrorists.
The tradition of the military, since 2015, is for the army chief to celebrate religious holidays with troops on the frontline.
This year’s edition was a testament to the army’s dedication to supporting its troops and ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed in their mission.
Overall, the luncheon was a fitting tribute to the soldiers fighting to protect their country and fellow citizens.
It served as a reminder that the fight against terrorism is ongoing, and that the army remains committed to providing the resources and support necessary for its troops to succeed in their mission.
A convergence of aggrieved citizens, including supporters of the Labour Party and other political groupings in Borno state, have on Sunday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of intentionally withholding their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in a grand plot to bar them from voting in the coming elections.
This weighty allegation was coming on the last day the electoral body allowed for the issuance of PVC.
INEC had extended the PVC collection date from January end to Feb.5, 2023, to allow those who are yet to retrieve their voting cards to do so. Despite the deadline elongation, many Nigerians who claimed to have duly registered as voters said they are yet to see their PVCs.
Led by one Ishyaku Yakubu, a senior member of the Obidient movement and card-carrying member of the Labour Party (LP), the group said thousands of registered voters have not been able to receive their PVCs after days of frequenting the collection centers.
The group blamed INEC and its officials for the setback even as they claimed to have copious evidence to prove that some INEC officials have been paid to deny particular categories the right to vote.
The group said the INEC officials were primed to deny them the chance to collect their PVC until the exercise ended.
The INEC has denied this allegation.
But Engineer Yakubu, who was accompanied by a large number of individuals who are yet to collect their PVC, said
“thousands (including myself) who have been going to the INEC offices for collecting their PVCs registered under the most difficult situations and inconvenience are yet to get it.”
“INEC has previously announced to the media that all PVCs are ready for collection and lament how Nigerians are not coming out; meanwhile, we queue up at their offices and ward levels to get PVCs only to be told “your PVC is not ready, come back in 3 days, come back in one week” and stories like that.
“We have reasons to believe there is a sinister plan to disenfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs. We and many others who registered, transferred, and r requested for replacement of lost/damaged cards, particularly last year (2022) between May and July, have not been given their PVCs.
“Today is the final deadline, according to INEC, and people are being asked to go and come back,” he said.
“We have it on record where an INEC staff in charge of issuing PVCs in one of the polling wards saying that those who registered during the last window of registration should forget about voting in 2023; that we should wait till 2027 because they know whom we are going to vote for,” said Yakubu.
INEC Denies Allegations
The Borno REC had, in a phone interview with reporters, denied any alleged plot by INEC to bar registered voters from getting their PVC.
He said those unable to get their PVCs “are among those who engaged in multiple registrations detected and automatically canceled, and so would not get their PVCs based on the Electoral Act 2022.”
“We are not printing the PVCs; the PVCs are being printed in Abuja; this is the reality.”
The REC, who had announced two weeks ago that there were over 161,000 PVC yet to be collected in Borno state, said on Sunday that he is yet to receive an update on the number left uncollected after the one-week extension.
“I’m supposed to get the update on the number of uncollected PVCs by 6 pm today,” he said.
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The Network of Civil Society organizations in Borno state, (NECSOB) has added its voice to the widespread condemnation that trails the #NewNairaNote controversy in the country.
NECSOB said though currency redesign is a common occurene glibally, Nigeria’s version is “wrongly timed and ill-preparedness on the part of the authorities.
In view of that, the civil society body find it imperative to make the follwing recommendations as a way out the nasty situation.
Members of the public should as a matter of necessity embraces the new development and devices every legal means necessary that will facilitate their transaction.
All commercial centers and public service providers (such as hospitals…) should as a matter of urgency create online payment platforms and POS devices to ease people’s hardship.
Security operative (DSS,EFCC…) should intensify in bringing sanity into these currency related crimes.
CBN should also make available to the public the daily allocations to commercial Bank branches in every state for accountability.
Network Providers should also try and upgrade their services to accommodate the abrupt pressure on these facilities.
Commercial Banks should also upgrade their servers to enable for smooth online transactions.
We also called on POS operators to deceased from illegal transactions that is exploiting unsuspected members of the public.
All filling stations should be compliant with the new cashless policy by providing e-payment devices across their dispensing pumps.
The general public are enjoined to remain Law abiding and carryout their activities within the provisions of the law.
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A new Theater Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, a military operation against Boko Haram terrorosm in Northeast Nigeria, Major General Ibrahim Ali has taken over tour of duty today.
General Ali takes over from Major General Chris Musa who had been on duty since June, 2021.
General Musa’s 19 months tour of duty at the Theater saw the most dramatic moment since the creation of the Theater in 2015 when thousands of Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops .
However, General Musa said despite the feat, the successes are just a scratch on the surface of the issue on the ground.
He called on troops to see Boko Haram as enemies of the state and ensure they live up to their sworn role as protectors of the nation by taking the war to the nooks and hideouts of the terrorists.
The general who is taking over as the Commander Infantry Corp, Jaji, in Kaduna state said his regrets in the past 19 months was the death of a General and other troops during the course of operations.
The new TC said he would build upon the successes of his predecessor.
Allamin Foundation, a civil society and rights based organizations in Borno state northeast Nigeria, has recently trained 30 young females on the art or making money using basic trading skills.
The young women, mostly survivors of abuse in displacement camps, were equipped with petty business skills and handed token start-up cash at a two-day training on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023.
The young women who are either survivors of gender based violence or persons in financial vulnerability, were also made to undergo some psychosocial session to enable them overcome their state of depression.
The Humanitarian Times, a Nigerian online publication predisposed to reporting issues around the conflict in the Lake Chad region reported that “though the Borno state government has shut down IDP camps, many displacement persons are either perching in host communities or in unofficial camps. Most of the participants were drawn from those conditions of displacements.”
The online publication reported further that officials at Allamin Foundation, said some of the girls were victims of rape or those made to mother children whose paternity cannot be traced.
Participants at the training.
The young girls were trained on various business ideas during a 2-day workshop where relevant resource persons coached them on how to do petty trades in basic commodities like cooking ingredients, knitting of native caps, sales of apparels or making and selling confectionery.
Idris Akanmu, an official at the Foundation said the girls were also given some psychosocial support to enable them overcome trauma.
He said the training was to help the girls and women overcome their traumas as well as to tackle possible depression that may come as a result of economic hardships.
“This is basically meant to build their resilience and make them economically independent so that they don’t become vulnerable for any form of abuse or manipulations,” he said.
One of the resource persons, Hajja Bintu Bukar, from the Department of Public Administration, Ramat Polytecnic, Maiduguri, said the young girls have demonstrated noticeable commitment towards being financially independent despite the bad experiences they passed through.
She said the about 30 participants were apart from receiving psychosocial counseling, they also had a petty business entrepreneurship training on little seasonal trades they can venture into without incurring any unnecessary losses.
“Their participation was excellent and they exhibited that commitment to be self sufficient economically, and we felt highly encouraged,” she said.
Mrs Bukar, one of the facilitators at the 2-day training
Mrs Bukar said at the end of the two days training, the girls were handed cash started pack to enable them start business of their own.
Participants testimonies
Binta Audu-Liva, a 21 years old, prospective nursing student, said she was part of the training because she had always craved to be independent financially.
“Lack of economic support is the major reason why many girls and women become vulnerable in camps and I have seen many who have been abused and abandoned ,” she said.
“I was eleven years old when Boko Haram chased us out of Gwoza about ten years ago. And since then we have been living in camps but my mother who is known for her business acumen did not stop her fried food businesses even when we were in the camp. That was what has been sustaining us, though at a very meager level, till when our camp was closed last year.”
Binta who was lucky to be among the girls that got government scholarship about six years ago was able to complete her secondary education in 2021. She was unable to pass her entrance exams for the nursing school last year .
“I’ve not been able to pass the required grades last year, but I have reapplied for this year, and I’m hoping to pass so that I can fulfil my dreams of becoming a medical personnel some day and be helpful to my community,” she said.
Binta said she would use the cash support given to her by Allamin Foundation to start the sales of Hijab – a business she is optimistic would be lucrative because “almost every one wears Hijab and females want to have them in variety.”
“I would be saving part of the proceeds I make as gain to support my education,” she said.
Adama Abubakar, a mother of six, said she had most of her kids in the IDP camp. She said she has issues recalling events clearly due to the trauma of what she passed through.
Though she lived in a host community camp with her husband, but they barely could feed well.
“Since we fled Gwoza life has been very tough for us,” she said.
“I can’t recall most of the things I went through about ten years ago, but it has been tough for me and my family since then. I hope to utilize this money to go into sales of groceries and other cooking ingredients to support my poor family. I thank the Allamin Foundation for this. To me, it’s a first of its kind.
A Borno state-born aeronautic engineer, Ishaku Ibrahim Mshelizza, had caused hundreds of his social media followers to join him in tears when he penned a moving and weepy tribute to one of his beloved sons who died on Thursday after undergoing a successful surgical operation on his heart.
The handsome-looking boy was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease, an ailment that required specialised surgery, that cost millions of naira, as treatment.
The griefing father who referred his little son, Elijah, as priest of the house and ”a born prophet”, said though he wished his son lives on after the successful heart repair, the boy had an inkling that he would not live longer than his time.
The touching homage reads this:
“RIBUTE TO MY BELOVED ELIJAH 💔 Elijah! A son, friend and confidant, the Priest of my house, A BORN PROPHET, you lived just for a little while.
With tears rolling my eyes, I write to you this tribute as a mark of love and respect to your gentle soul as you rest within the Lord in Heaven’s.
Elijah, you came and lighten up my home, you were the First Child I witnessed your birth (My Third Born), you became so emotionally and physically attached to me. Your were an intelligent, calm and gentle type that God blessed us with. You were sleeping beside all the days of your life, my bed was where you like to be always.
The First day you were diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease, and when I was informed about the Millions of Funds that must be required for your surgery (locally and internationally), we tried all we could as a family to put smiles on your face again, we have taken you across the Nation just to seek for the best medical attention to save your life, I became friends with all the Nurses, Doctors, Pharmacists and Hospital attendants who were incharge of your care for the past 4 years.
Your sister and brothers were very happy when it was time to travel for your Surgery, we departed home in full spirit, with the hope to bring you back home in good health.
Little did we know that, your time was up. On the day of the Surgery, you said to me daddy, “I Love you” you were kissing me all through in the Ambulance on our way to the Theatre with tears rolling down my cheek, you refused to be taken to the Theatre even after given three doses of Anesthesia, you were forcefully taken from us by your Doctors (myself and your mother busted in tears as we watch you go into the Theatre).
You had a Successful Surgery and you were even awake to speak to me and your mother and even requested for water just 10 minutes after the Surgery, you needed me by your side even at the ICU.
Your mother and I, including the Doctors were full of Love and Joy, seeing you doing well after the Surgery. We had Prayed, Fasted and even cried to God for Mercy over your life.
Sadly, I was called to ICU to witness your last moment, you looked at me and said daddy “I need cold water” and that was your last breath. I brought your mother into the ICU to also kiss you good bye as we were all crying upon seeing your demise.
Your Brothers and sister have been asking, when will you be back and we don’t have an answer for them. We were consoled that you didn’t die of Heart Disease, but it was your divine Ordained time to go and be the with the Lord in Heaven!!
You Prophesied your death two weeks before you leave, you told your mother that “Mummy, I’m suffering, I’m tired, my time is up I will go and rest with the Lord” and you truly left (tears)!!
We all missed you, God Loves you, your school teachers and everyone were emotional, the Church misses you, your Namesake Elijah Hagin loves you and misses you.
Your Grand parents were heartbroken 💔, your aunties and cousins too.
Bay States News 