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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
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Army Headquarters Garrison, in conjunction with Operation SWEEP, have conducted a clearance operation across several areas of the Federal Capital Territory, dismantling illegal shanties and structures suspected of providing cover for criminal activities.
The operation was conducted at about 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 2026, across Karshi, Jeje, Kurape and Nyanya areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Security personnel raided and dismantled several illegal shanties and structures during the operation as part of efforts to deny criminal elements safe havens within the capital.
The operation is part of ongoing security efforts to improve surveillance and maintain control over vulnerable areas that could be exploited by criminals.
The Mai-Anguwa of Nyanya commended the troops for the operation and pledged to sustain effective communication with Army Headquarters Garrison and other security agencies by providing credible information on suspicious activities.
Security personnel are expected to sustain the operation and continue intelligence-led patrols in the affected areas to prevent criminal elements from re-establishing their presence.
The development highlights the importance of sustained community-security collaboration in identifying emerging threats and preventing criminal networks from exploiting informal settlements and unregulated structures.
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade have arrested two suspected terrorists, including an alleged terrorist courier linked to kidnapping activities along the Okene–Auchi road in Kogi State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 1:15 p.m. on August 23, 2026, around the Okene axis of Okene Local Government Area, following an intelligence report on the movement of suspected terrorist elements.
According to security sources, one of the suspects was allegedly involved in kidnapping operations along the Okene–Auchi road and adjoining areas.
Troops recovered two mobile phones with charging cords, a power bank, four litres of palm oil, portions of cow meat, clothing and ₦901,080 in cash from the suspects.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said the arrests provide an opportunity to investigate the logistics and support networks sustaining criminal activities along the Okene–Auchi corridor.
The military is expected to intensify intelligence-led operations in the area to identify other members of the suspected network and disrupt their movement and supply channels.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on their position at Dekara in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred at about 8:24 a.m. on August 23, 2026, when suspected terrorists engaged troops deployed in the area.
The troops responded and successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw towards the surrounding forest.
During subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Security personnel also recovered six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine batteries and 10 memory cards reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
Drone surveillance subsequently captured two suspected injured terrorists being evacuated on motorcycles towards the Kainji Lake National Park.
Troops have continued to dominate the area and maintain pressure on the fleeing terrorists to deny them freedom of action and prevent them from regrouping.
The recovery of the weapons and communication devices is expected to provide valuable intelligence for ongoing operations, particularly in identifying terrorist networks, their communication channels and movement corridors around the Kainji Lake National Park.
The operation comes amid intensified security efforts to prevent terrorist elements from exploiting the forested areas along the Nigeria–Benin border as safe havens and mobility corridors.
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
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