Alau Dam: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work.

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the Alau Dam to avert a repeat of last year’s devastating flood disaster.

Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas experienced their worst flooding in decades following the collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024. In response, the Federal Government approved N80 billion for the dam’s reconstruction and expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2025 to mark the commencement of the project.

Governor Zulum while responding to a request by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on the need to fast tract the project, during the traditional Sallah homage at the Government House in Maiduguri. The Governor expressed concern over the slow pace of work, warning that the rainy season has already begun.

“After the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the dam, which we all attended, the truth is that the work is not progressing as expected,” Governor Zulum stated.

“The last time I visited the President, I informed him about the true state of the project, and I assure you that I will not relent. I will continue to follow up, and I have also notified the Vice President as well. In the meantime, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has constituted a committee to provide immediate intervention at the dam.”.

The governor pledged to connect all local government headquarters to the national grid before the end of his tenure. He also promised massive road rehabilitation once the Pulka quarry plant is completed.

“These are two critical issues dear to me, he said. I assure Your Royal Highness that all local government headquarters will be connected to electricity before my tenure expires, Insha Allah. Regarding road infrastructure, insecurity has been a major challenge, but we remain committed. We have procured 40 brand-new Howo tipper trucks, and once the Pulka quarry plant is completed, we will embark on extensive road rehabilitation across the state.”

Governor Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and cooperation to his administration.

Earlier, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi said the sallah homage has been part of the tradition during every festive season, acknowledging the unprecedented transformation the Zulum’s administration is executing across the state.

He emphasised the importance of expediting the Alau Dam project, noting that the first phase should have been completed by now. He referenced the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, as a warning of what could recur in Borno if swift action is not taken.

“We witnessed the catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri on 10th September 2024, and we do not want a repeat, the Shehu said. The Federal Government must act immediately.”.

The royal father also urged the Governor to follow up with the Federal Government on oil exploration in Tuba, road rehabilitation, and electricity connectivity for local government areas.

During the event, Governor Zulum also received delegations from the University of Maiduguri, Kashim Ibrahim University, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, who paid similar homage.

Alau Dam: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Plead with FG to Expedite Rehabilitation Work.

Commissioner Maigari speaks on the security situation in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission representing Yobe State, Hon. Jibrin Maigari, has revealed that within the 6 years of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni’s CON, the issue of security has become a history in Yobe; therefore, His Excellency deserves a salute on this very important aspect.

Maigari disclosed this to newsmen shortly after presenting federal permanent and pensionable appointment letters to indigenes of Yobe State at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum.

He said, When the governor took over, the issue of security was very glaring and very threatening, but now you can go around in all 17 local governments without any challenges or hindrances.

“But he said, He didn’t stop there; he will continue to make sure that the flashpoint in the Geidam area, Tarmuwa, and Gujba are addressed properly through the collaborative effort of our army, police, civil defense, and the community vigilante people,’ Maigari said.

According to Maigari, the federal character was established to create fairness, equity, and transparency in the conduct of employment in federal MDs and also to monitor and add the second mandate in terms of federal government development projects across the country.

On his achievements, Maigari said, Actually, the tenure of a commissioner is five years, and we are now winding off, but the actual number of appointees cannot be exactly said because at the initial stage there was no proper record keeping, and the number of employees also included the military and paramilitary.

Jibrin Maigari further said, In the military, there is almost an annual program of engaging almost 200 young Yobeans to be recruited into the Nigerian Army; likewise, the police recruit a similar number, but in the MDs, the recruitment is based on which MDs have the approval and which MDs have the space and budgetary space to recruit.

We have challenges because most of the institutions that are recruiting are teaching hospitals, federal medical centers, and such institutions, likely because of the effort of the federal government to expand both primary and tertiary health care, and sometimes we get a limited number of Yobeans who are studying medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, and other health-related programs.

“The substantial number of Yobeans that apply for a space in the MDs are considered during the period of 5 years, but our consideration across the 17 local government areas is that almost in all the 17 local governments, the reasonable number of their citizens were employed and were heavily working in the various states,” Maigari added.

Commissioner Maigari speaks on the security situation in Yobe

Two ISWAP Top Commanders Ya Muhammad and Abou Dawuda Confirmed Killed in Damboa Encounter

By: Zagazola Makama

Two top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Ya Muhammad and Abou Dawuda, have been confirmed killed in an operation by Nigerian troops in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the terrorists were neutralized during a recent attack on Damboa town, which was foiled by the ground troops and the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) aerial bombardments.

The terrorists, who were leading fighters in the attack, were hit during the NAF’s strike targeting their position. Ya Muhammad, recognized as the Ameer Fiya of Garno, was among the five ISWAP commanders reportedly leading the assault.

Following the airstrikes, it was gathered that he initially escaped with two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), which he hid in the Bula Bukarti forest after two other fighters were neutralized under his command.

However, attempts by Ya Muhammad to regroup with more fighters were cut short when he was struck by another airstrike from the Operation Hadin Kai’s air component. His corpse was reportedly found later by fellow terrorists, marking a significant blow to the insurgent group.

The late commander was closely associated with other notable ISWAP leaders, including Abu Ayuba, Abu Khalid and Ameer Sarki. His death has reportedly plunged the terrorists into mourning, signifying his prominence in orchestrating attacks within Borno and Yobe states. Ya Muhammad was believed to have masterminded several attacks on locations such as Wajiroko, Sabon Gari, and Damboa.

In related developments, intelligence reports indicate that other ISWAP fighters, including Modu Sullum and Abdul Kaka, may have regrouped at the fringes of the Gaidam axis, raising fears of reprisal attacks.

In addition, sources revealed the presence of other ISWAP commanders such as Abu HAFSAT, a senior commander based in Mangusum; Suleimana Suwurti, who is tasked with bomb-making in Gorgore; and various Ameer Fiye, including those in Gorgore and Borgozo, as well as an Ameer Jaish Huzaifa operating in Gargash, have all been regrouping.

Nigerian security forces have maintained heightened alertness, with ongoing day and night air and ground surveillance to nutrialised any threat in the North East especially Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest.

Two ISWAP Top Commanders Ya Muhammad and Abou Dawuda Confirmed Killed in Damboa Encounter