News
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
…Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni, Others
…Residents Laud Zulum’s Intervention
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched an aggressive and coordinated response to address the acute water scarcity affecting parts of Maiduguri metropolis and its environs, following the devastating flood disaster of 10 September 2024.
The flood, described as unprecedented in scale, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including critical water supply points.
This disruption significantly hampered the flow of water from Alau Dam, particularly affecting Maiduguri city centre and surrounding areas.
In response to the hardship faced by residents in accessing portable water for domestic use in areas such as Gwange, Mafoni, Lamisula, Wulari and Ngarannam, Governor Zulum has approved the immediate rehabilitation, upgrade, and construction of boreholes across various locations in the metropolis.
Key interventions under this emergency initiative include the conversion of 48 lower aquifer boreholes to hybrid energy systems and the construction of 50 new upper aquifer boreholes. These projects aim to restore and enhance water accessibility for thousands of residents.
During an inspection tour of project sites, the General Manager of Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Dr Mohammed Musa Aliyu, briefed journalists on the progress of the interventions.
“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the construction of 50 upper aquifer boreholes within Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. The project is already underway, with over 25 boreholes drilled and several already outfitted,” Dr Aliyu stated.
He further explained that many of the lower aquifer boreholes being upgraded were originally constructed over 40 years ago. These have now been retrofitted with 50-horsepower solar-powered systems, capable of supplying water within a five-kilometre radius.
Highlighting the importance of these upgrades, Dr Aliyu said, “The governor’s commitment to providing potable water is commendable. Here in Kasuwan Gwoza, we have converted a 50-horsepower borehole to solar energy. Without this intervention, residents would have no access to water as the original infrastructure was badly affected.”
In addition, the Governor has sanctioned the construction of 10 new lower aquifer (ruwan zafi) boreholes, with work currently in progress.
Dr Aliyu assured residents that, over the coming weeks, the issue of water scarcity in the capital city would be substantially mitigated.
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, we are making every effort to reduce water scarcity in Maiduguri metropolis to the barest minimum,” he affirmed.
Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni and Other Areas
As part of the broader intervention, the Borno State Government has constructed 25 new boreholes in Maiduguri and surrounding communities. Of these, 10 boreholes were established in the Mafoni area alone — one of the worst-hit communities following the flood.
According to Dr Aliyu, five of these boreholes were newly constructed, while another five were rehabilitated and upgraded.
“His Excellency personally visited Mafoni after the flood and promised swift intervention. Within a month, 10 boreholes were drilled and reticulated to various distribution points across the community,” Dr Aliyu explained.
Residents Laud Governor Zulum’s Swift Response
Residents of Gwange 1 (Mai Jir), Kasuwan Gwoza, Mafoni, Bulabulin Ngarannam, Federal Low Cost, and Shuwari 1, 2, and 3 have expressed deep appreciation for the Zulum administration’s proactive efforts in restoring water supply.
Speaking on behalf of the Mafoni community, residents noted: “We cannot thank the administration of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum enough.
Previously, we spent hours every morning searching for water, which affected our livelihoods and the education of our children. Alhamdulillah, with the drilling of these new boreholes, the water challenge in our area has been significantly resolved.”
Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 59 suspects during coordinated raids across major black spots and criminal hideouts in Abuja.
Sources revealed that the raids were conducted late Saturday by operatives from Apo, Kubwa, Karu, Karmo, Life Camp, Maitama, Wuse, Mabushi, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Zuba, and Tungan Maje Divisions.
The police said the operation targeted uncompleted buildings and identified criminal hideouts within the divisions’ areas of responsibility.
According to the sources, all suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, and those found culpable will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the command is also investigating an alleged suicide involving a 20-year-old labourer identified as Alfred Habila, from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Habila was reportedly found hanging in an uncompleted building behind River Park Estate, Lugbe, on Sunday morning.
A resident, Engr. Jatto Abdulkareem, told the police that he received a distress call from another resident, Joshua, who discovered the deceased’s body around 8 a.m.
Police operatives who visited the scene took photographs and conveyed the victim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy and preservation, while investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Sokoto State have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits on Mangwarori Kwandawa area of Isa town, Isa Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that
heavily armed bandits invaded the community, shooting sporadically in an attempt to penetrate the town.
According to the sources , troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA army responded swiftly and engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted several minutes.
The superior firepower of the security forces forced the attackers to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that four civilians sustained minor injuries from stray bullets during the exchange, while no casualties were recorded among security personnel.
Security operatives are currently conducting bush combing operations to trace the fleeing bandits, while adjoining divisions have been placed on alert to block possible escape routes.
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is currently meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, following reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, is aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that has triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
According to the source, the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
Zagazola reports that Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, though claims of a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria have been circulating in some right-wing U.S. circles in recent months.
However, independent monitoring groups and analysts have noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry in the country, with no evidence of a targeted campaign against one faith.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria
FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe
Electoral officer rescued as one killed, others injured in Kontagora election violence
Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community
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