Borno: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Decry Rising Boko Haram Attacks

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, have raised alarm over the escalating attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP, urging the federal government and security agencies to take decisive action before the situation spirals out of control.

Over the past months, communities in Borno have suffered relentless assaults with insurgents targeting villages and military outposts, particularly in Sabon Gari, Wajiroko and Wulgo, among others.

During an expanded security meeting at Government House, Zulum urged the federal government to prioritise the security of the North East, particularly Borno State, which shares borders with three neighbouring countries—Chad, Cameroon, and the Republic of Niger—as well as security concerns in the Sahel region.

“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, we also want to state that with the current focus in the fight against insecurity shifted from the northeast, all the gains we have recorded so far will be reversed.”

“In recent times, Borno State has been witnessing sporadic attacks from Boko Haram insurgents; many military formations were dislodged, such as in Wulgo, Wajiroko and Sabon Gari, among others. It seems we are losing ground.”

“Therefore, we want to appeal to the federal government to ensure that the northeastern part of the country receives the desired attention. It seems the focus of the Nigerian Army and the Ministry of Defence is not on the northeast.”

Governor Zulum stated that the northeast, particularly Borno State which is neighbouring three countries in the troubled sahel region deserves more attention from federal government in its resolve to fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Zulum further stressed, “The recent escalation of Boko Haram attacks across the state is a matter of utmost concern. There is an urgent need for aggressive military action and actionable intelligence to counter the insurgency. The recent attacks on Sabongari, Damboa, Wulgo, Baga and Monguno point to the need to up our ante in confronting BH insurgency decisively and swiftly.”

“I call on our armed forces to not only mount checkpoints and guard our towns and villages, I also call on our armed forces to take the battle to the enemy. We should not grant breathing space to the terrorists to regroup, rearm and carry out attacks on our territory. By engaging in relentless patrols, picketing and decapitation missions, our troops should defeat and end the insurgency in time so that our recovery plan will progress without let or hindrance”, he said.

The Governor restated his commitment to continually support the military and other security agencies working in Borno State to achieve their objectives of fighting insurgency in the state.

The Governor noted, “Borno State government will continue to work closely with the armed forces to execute our development and peacebuilding programmes. We are deeply conscious of the nexus between development, security and peace. Hence, as we invest in critical infrastructure, we are also opening new avenues for our citizens to engage in agriculture and sustainable livelihood.

He added, “All these will not be possible without resourcing and empowering our security agencies to secure our territory and safeguard citizens’ lives and property. My government will continue to support our defence and security agencies while pushing them to perform better when encountering terrorism, insurgency and criminality.”

Briefing journalists after the closed-door session of the security meeting, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, noted that among the resolutions at the end of the meeting, the security council had expressed support to Borno State Government’s resettlement efforts.

The meeting was attended by the GOC 7 Div, Major General Abubakar Haruna, Traditional rulers from the 7 emirate councils of Borno and other heads of security outfits.

Borno: Zulum, Shehu of Borno Decry Rising Boko Haram Attacks

House Committee Reaffirms Nigeria Support for One-China Policy

By: Michael Mike

The House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the One-China Policy, recognizing Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, made the statement on Tuesday in response to remarks attributed to the Head of Taiwan’s Trade Mission in Nigeria. Andy Yih-Ping Liu,

Liu’s recently assertion that Taiwan is not part of China was dismissed by the lawmaker as propaganda intended to undermine the strong and mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China.

He said: “For the record, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of the whole China, including Taiwan.”

He added that: “The One-China Policy remains the cornerstone of China-Nigeria relations. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1971, Nigeria has consistently honored this principle. Efforts by Taiwan’s trade office to challenge this stance are futile and will not succeed.”

The chairman criticized Liu’s comments as an attempt to draw Nigeria into China’s internal affairs, insisting that it is a deliberate move to sow discord and provoke a diplomatic rift.

He noted that: “Nigeria’s relationship with China is built on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s political matters.”

On Liu’s claim that Beijing acts as a bully, Hon. Yakubu highlighting the positive trajectory of Nigeria-China cooperation that has shown mutual respect, said: “Contrary to these baseless assertions, Nigeria has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with China, yielding tangible results for both nations.

“Since 1971, our ties have grown significantly. In 2024, during the FOCAC Summit in Beijing, we elevated this relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Today, Nigeria stands as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing $20 billion.

“China has also played a critical role in Nigeria’s infrastructural modernization through substantial investments in various sectors, including rail networks, road construction, ports, power stations, and water treatment facilities,” he added.

House Committee Reaffirms Nigeria Support for One-China Policy

Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Troops under the Headquarters Operation Forest Yakin (HQOPFY) have commenced “Operation Munzo,” a special clearance operation targeting terrorist camps in Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from intelligence sources that the operation kicked off from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bagega in Anka Local Government Area, with troops advancing through Tibuki and Sabuwar Tunga villages to the notorious Mati terrorist camps.

The sources said heavy resistance was encountered as the terrorists engaged the advancing troops with light and support weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades. However, the troops responded with superior firepower, neutralising scores of the insurgents in the process.

Intercepts suggest that the terror kingpin known as Mati, believed to be the mastermind of several attacks in the area, was killed along with several of his fighters during the fierce exchange.

A soldier attached to the Special Boat Service (SBS) sustained a gunshot wound to the lower rib and has since been stabilised and evacuated for treatment.

Items recovered from the scene include one PKT rifle with two belts and 90 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, and 12 magazines containing 487 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Also recovered were three Baofeng radios with chargers, military and police uniforms, and other combat gear. Three motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed on site, while rustled cattle found at the camp were also eliminated.

All terrorist life-support structures in the Mati camp were completely burnt and destroyed during the operation. However, two tyres of a combat support vehicle were damaged, and another vehicle sustained a broken lower arm.

In a separate movement, logistics vehicles advancing from FOB Bagega to FOB Dan Gulbi at about 9:15 a.m. came under ambush near a bridge. The troops promptly repelled the attack.

While casualty figures on the side of the attackers remain unconfirmed, one soldier sustained injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.

“Operation Munzo” is expected to continue in the coming days as troops intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves across Zamfara’s forested zones.

Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara