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“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
By: Zagazola Makama
At just 11 years old, Fatima (not her real name) has lived through experiences unimaginable to most. With three children in tow, she surrendered from a Boko Haram enclave, carrying the weight of trauma and responsibilities far beyond her years. Her story, shared by Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, spotlighted the urgent plight of vulnerable children and young mothers emerging from the insurgency.
“She’s just a child herself,” Wakilbe said. “To see an 11-year-old with three children is heartbreaking. This reflects the harsh reality of many girls and women caught in the insurgency, particularly in border communities like Bama, Banki, and Gwoza.”
Fatima’s surrender is part of a growing wave of young girls and women being repatriated or rescued, often from neighboring countries like Cameroon. Many, aged between 13 and 15, return with children born in captivity. With limited options, some resort to prostitution to survive, a crisis that the Commissioner attributes to extreme poverty and a lack of viable alternatives.
The Commissioner’s call to action underscores the need for urgent intervention. “Poverty is the driving force behind these vices,” he explained. “We need to establish Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in vulnerable areas. These centers can provide skills and startup packs for young mothers like Fatima, enabling them to rebuild their lives.”
Wakilbe stressed that traditional education systems are ill suited to address the unique needs of conflict affected children and girls. Many have witnessed violence, displacement, and abduction, leaving them in need of tailored rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
Efforts to integrate these children into regular schools have faced significant challenges. Wakilbe cited the example of some Chibok girls who struggled in secondary schools and were eventually transferred to specialized programs like the Second Chance School.
“Without long term planning, we’re failing these children,” Wakilbe said. “Donor agencies often miss the mark, implementing programs that don’t address immediate needs. For instance, teaching local languages in areas dominated by other dialects is less impactful than providing a foundational education in English.”
Despite graduating over 300 women through the Second Chance Program and equipping them with vocational skills, the challenges persist. Underage mothers like Fatima remain some of the most vulnerable.
During a courtesy visit by Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, CEO of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, the Commissioner highlighted the need for collaborative efforts.
Allamin echoed these concerns, sharing insights from her foundation’s work in deradicalizing women and girls.
“Our initiatives, supported by the military and local communities, have helped hundreds of women and girls surrender and reintegrate,” Allamin said. “But the magnitude of the problem requires sustainable, proactive solutions.”
Allamin noted that the challenge extends beyond personal experiences; it calls for urgent action from local authorities, NGOs, and international organizations.
“In our foundation, we have Built vocational education centers and providing tailored programs for rehabilitation which has been helping in addressing the immediate needs of these victims.
“We also Established community awareness programs which foster understanding and acceptance, helping to mitigate the stigma faced by those returning from captivity.
Zagazola Makama understands that the plight of women and girls who fall victim to abduction by Boko Haram presents an alarming reality in Borno State, Nigeria. Many of these victims, after enduring harrowing experiences, return to their communities only to face severe stigmatization and an array of abuses. This issue is compounded by the trauma they have experienced during their captivity, which often includes being forcibly married to militants and bearing children under traumatic circumstances.
Upon returning to their communities, these victims encounter immense societal rejection. A former female member of Boko Haram, who chose to repent and return to her family, poignantly described the painful atmosphere awaiting those who escape the clutches of the insurgency.
She noted, “The Boko Haram tagged Nigeria as the land of sinners. When they come back from the bush, they know they are already living in hell.” This metaphor encapsulates the emotional and social turmoil that victims like her face. Rather than finding solace and support upon their return, many feel further isolated and condemned by their communities.
The stigma attached to being a victim of insurgency extends beyond mere judgment. Victims often experience verbal, physical, and psychological abuse from individuals who view them as tainted or unclean due to their experiences. Such treatment fosters an environment of despair, compelling many to engage in desperate measures to survive.
Prostitution and other nefarious activities have become common among these women, driven by a need for financial stability and, in some cases, by the misguided belief that engaging in these activities may offer them an escape from their grim realities.
The cycles of poverty and violence exacerbate these challenges. Economic hardships and limited access to education and employment opportunities leave few alternatives for victims, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability. While some women resort to these activities as a means of survival, others may find temporary pleasure or a sense of agency in reclaiming control over their lives, despite the risks involved.
Furthermore, the broader societal neglect exacerbates the situation. Many young mothers remain trapped in a system that fails to recognize their unique needs. Efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate these individuals often lack the necessary resources and long-term planning to be effective. For instance, initiatives focusing solely on education without addressing immediate economic needs fall short of providing the comprehensive support required for successful reintegration.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
Troops sustain offensive in Magumeri, kill five terrorists, recover arms
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during a fierce encounter in the Magumeri axis of Borno State, as part of ongoing Operation Desert Sanity IV.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was launched following credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists marauding around Goni Dunari village in two vehicles and on foot, setting houses ablaze.
Acting promptly on the intelligence, the troops, in collaboration with the Magumeri Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), embarked on an aggressive fighting patrol to intercept the fleeing insurgents.
The sources said that on approaching the terrorists’ location, the insurgents attempted to escape toward Damjiyakiri village, prompting a sustained pursuit that lasted over four hours.
Upon making contact, the troops swiftly deployed into assault formation and opened fire on the fleeing terrorists, killing five on the spot while others scattered in disarray, many of them believed to be wounded judging from blood trails observed at the scene.
Items recovered from the encounter included one AK-47 rifle with registration number 06798, five magazines (three empty and two loaded), 31 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Itel mobile phone, and a dagger.
The sources confirmed that the troops recorded no casualties during the operation, and all equipment remained intact. The patrol covered a total distance of 92 kilometres before returning to base.
Operation Desert Sanity IV, currently ongoing across parts of northern Borno, forms part of a broader offensive to eliminate remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists still hiding within the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin and the Magumeri–Kukawa–Gubio axis.
Security analysts say the continued success of ground patrols under Operation Hadin Kai reflects improved coordination between the Nigerian Army, Air Component and local vigilante forces, contributing to the sustained stability across liberated communities in the state.
Troops sustain offensive in Magumeri, kill five terrorists, recover arms
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Dabiri-Erewa: Nigeria gained over N673 million worth of investments via Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in 2024
Dabiri-Erewa: Nigeria gained over N673 million worth of investments via Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in 2024
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria gained over N673 million worth in Diaspora Investment Deals in 2024 through the efforts of the the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Dabiri-Erewa, who briefed the media ahead of the NDIS 2025 Summit, also said the summit supported Nigeria’s local economy – contributing over ₦500 million to service providers, creatives, and SMEs engaged around the event since inception in 2018.
The NIDCOM boss also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is expected as the guest of honour at this year’s Nigeria’s Diaspora Investment Summit scheduled for 11-13 November 2025 in Abuja.
She revealed that no fewer than 3,000 online and physical participants are expected to participate at the 8th edition of the Summit.
Dabiri-Erewa said with the Summit themed: “Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,” “We are determined to build on this momentum. This year, we will continue to spotlight sectors critical to Nigeria’s transformation: Finance and Fintech; ICT; Creative Industries, Sports and Entertainment; Agribusiness; Healthcare; Education; Real Estate and Infrastructure; Manufacturing and Energy.”
She added that: “We are honoured that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will once again serve as the Special Guest of Honour and we anticipate the participation of distinguished business leaders, diaspora investors, policy champions, and creative icons who continue to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s potential.”
She noted that since the inception in 2018, the NDIS has become a trusted platform that fosters ‘direct, credible and impactful investments’ from the Nigerian diaspora into the local economy.
She said: “The last edition of the Summit, held in November 2024, showed just how much momentum NDIS has built over the years as it welcomed above 1,500 participants, both online and physically including 236 investors, 1,197 business owners and 168 government officials. Over the course of the Summit, a total of 56 pitches were presented across eight key sectors which highlighted the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians. These ideas were not just pitched but attracted about 168 deals worth about N673 million.
The Creative, Entertainment, and Sport sector stole the spotlight with 39 deals, showing just how much talent and energy Nigeria has to offer. But when it came to big money, Infrastructure and Real Estate led the way, securing about ₦201 million across 22 deals. Energy, though quieter with just four deals, still drew an impressive ₦172 million. Agribusiness made its mark too, with 28 deals bringing in ₦103 million. While the numbers are impressive, the true story lies in the impact these investments are having on everyday lives in Nigeria. They are helping to create jobs for young people, giving them opportunities to learn new skills and earn a living. They are helping businesses expand their operations, reach new markets, and become more competitive. For example, GAIN Business Incubator raised over ₦200 million to expand its operations. Xtralarge Farms secured international distribution deals through connections made at the Summit. Filmmakers like JohnMark Iyoo found mentors and pathways to bring Nigerian stories to a global audience.”
She noted that several state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, have leveraged the Summit in previous years, to attract investors and advance major development projects, such as Ondo’s port initiative which later gained Federal Government approval.
She also pointed out that: “These outcomes show that NDIS is more than a conference; it is a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable partnership.”
She therefore called on Nigerians in the diaspora and those at home, to seize emerging investment opportunities through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) and invest massively for Nigeria’s economic development.
She asserted that NDIS has grown beyond being a conference but as a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable development, which has fostered job creation, youth empowerment, and connecting Nigeria’s enormous talent pool to its development agenda.
On her part, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams noted that over the years, the summit has served as a vital bridge, attracting investments and unlocking the vast potential of the diaspora for Nigeria’s development.
She added that this year’s theme aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy and drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Dr. Adejugbe-Williams also encouraged new sponsors, investors, and media partners to amplify the message of the Summit and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.
Organised by NiDCOM with NDSI, the Summit connects Diaspora investors with local entrepreneurs across key sectors including Finance and Fintech, ICT, Creative Industries, Sports, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Energy.
Meanwhile, all participants are urged to register at www.ndisng.com.
Dabiri-Erewa: Nigeria gained over N673 million worth of investments via Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit in 2024
Police officer dies suddenly at Mararaba residence
By: Zagazola Makama
ASP Cyril Takim, 54, attached to the AIG Zone 7 Headquarters, FCT Abuja, has died suddenly at his residence in Aku Village Base 3, Mararaba.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that Takim reportedly slumped and became unconscious while using the bathroom on Thursday at about 2:50 p.m.
His son, Courage Takim Ogar, 21, immediately rushed him to the Medical Center, Mararaba, where he was examined by a doctor and certified dead.
Police detectives visited the scene and examined the body. No marks of violence or indications of foul play were observed. The corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation.
Police sources confirmed that the incident is classified as sudden and unnatural death, and no further suspicious circumstances have been reported.
Police officer dies suddenly at Mararaba residence
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Troops sustain offensive in Magumeri, kill five terrorists, recover arms
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