News
ACRC vows to address urban development challenges in 12 African cities, including Borno
ACRC vows to address urban development challenges in 12 African cities, including Borno
By: Our Reporter
The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) has vowed to tackle urban development challenges in Africa’s rapidly changing cities.
According to the Research Consortium, Maiduguri, the Borno state capital is one of the 12 African cities in which ACRC engages communities, researchers, agencies, state actors and other stakeholders in urban transformation.
Unveiling the challenges of urbanization yesterday in Maiduguri at the ACRC stakeholders’ research uptake Workshop which took place at Duijma International Hotels, Babakura Bukar, the Research Uptake Lead, disclosed: “Young people face many challenges including lack of access to high quality education, unemployment, drug abuse and exclusion from formal decision-making processes.”
The Media, Academia, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Non- Governmental Organizations, NGOs among others attended the Workshop.
Bukar lamented that most of the young people remain optimistic about graduating from schools to gain decent employment opportunities, but to no avail.
Besides, he added that despite several safety and security interventions in the last decade of Boko Haram atrocities, there are reported cases of periodic clashes among youth’s groups in some communities.
“There were mobile phone snatchings and burglary,” he said, forcing many residents in low-income areas to resort to locally mobilized self-defense.
The ACRC themed: “Tackling priority complex problems to unlock urban systems,” was to explore positive transformation that leads to economic growth, improved well-being and inclusive development at all levels.
According to him, the inclusive development of cities comprises political settlement, land and connectivity, safety, as well as youth and capacity development in Borno state.
He noted that the Boko Haram insurgency has impacted on the trajectories of developmental pattern of the Maiduguri city.
On the potential domains of the Research Consortium, he said that they included housing, informal settlement, health and well-being, youth capabilities and economic development.
“African cities growth has been dependent on natural resources and, with urbanization without significant levels of structural transformation,” he said.
According to him, it has failed to lay the foundations for future prosperity in most of the African countries.
Besides, he added: “Increasing growth has led to more opportunities and the potentials to reduce poverty, but livelihoods remain difficult for low-income households in urban areas on commodity markets for their basic needs of life.
Bukar attributed the challenges of urban development to lack of access to services, including portable water, sanitation and waste management and the impact of pollution from household and commercial activities.
“They have led to poor health in low-income neighborhoods in the 12 rapidly changing cities in Africa,” he noted.
The Borno State Commissioner of Environment, Yerima Saleh, while declaring the ACRC Stakeholders’ meeting open, disclosed: “The problems we have in our society is the management and control of population,” adding that this is related to discipline among the residents.
Continued; “When governments provide infrastructure like drainages, then the people dump refuse there and this creates environmental challenges.”
The Director of ACRC, Martins Atela, in a virtual presentation from Nairobi, Kenya, sought support of the Federal and State governments in the implementation of research findings on Maiduguri city.
ACRC vows to address urban development challenges in 12 African cities, including Borno
Soldier Wife Arrested in Abuja vehicle theft case
By: Zagazola Makama
A notorious female suspect, Blessing Yusuf, aged 29, was arrested on April 25, 2025, by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, following a successful investigation into a vehicle theft case.
Sources disclosed that Yusuf, a resident of Kwali Area Council and wife of a serving Nigerian Army soldier, L/CPL Yusuf Yunnusa, who was arrested on April 19, 2025, was tracked down through digital forensic intelligence after fleeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) upon learning of her husband’s arrest.
Sources said during preliminary investigations, Yusuf confessed during interrogation that she had initiated the idea of stealing a vehicle to cover her medical expenses.
She admitted to ordering a set of Toyota Corolla keys online via Jumia and later using them to steal a car at the Federal Secretariat. While her husband moved the vehicle, she provided cover and distracted passersby. After the theft, they transported the stolen car to Kwali.
Both suspects are currently in custody undergoing further interrogation.
Crime
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
By; Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a woman, Vera Onyebigwa, in connection with a suspected child trafficking case.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that On April 25, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., a distress call was received at G/Lada Division regarding a suspected child trafficking incident near the timber shed area.
The sources said Police operatives were quickly deployed to the scene, where they apprehended Onyebigwa, a resident of No. 38 Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City, Edo State, who was found in possession of a 6-year-old female child, whose identity remains unknown.
According to the sources, Preliminary investigations revealed that Onyebigwa had allegedly purchased the child from her father for ₦500,000 and was planning to transport her to Benin City.
The child’s cries attracted the attention of a Good Samaritan, who immediately notified the police, leading to the child’s rescue.
The sources added that the child is currently in protective care, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.
FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K
EFCC operative allegedly linked to accident in Cross River
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons sustained injuries following a serious lone accident allegedly caused by suspected operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) along Abakpa/Igoli Road in Ogoja, Cross River State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from police sources that the accident, which occurred at about 10:45 a.m. on Friday, involved a BMW car with driven by one Bassey Precious, aged 27, with a passenger identified as Caleb Fidelis Okem, aged 24.
The sources said that a white Toyota Hiace bus, occupied by armed men suspected to be EFCC operatives carrying AK-47 rifles, intercepted the BMW and attempted to force it to a stop. One of the operatives reportedly entered the vehicle and tried to take control, leading to a scuffle with the driver.
During the struggle, Precious allegedly refused to yield, causing the vehicle to lose control, somersault, and crash. The EFCC operatives immediately fled the scene, abandoning the injured occupants.
The victims were promptly rushed to the General Hospital in Ogoja, where they are currently receiving treatment and are reported to be responding well.
The police source said that the Cross River Police Command confirmed the incident and efforts were ongoing to identify and locate the operatives involved for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
The EFCC is yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
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