Zulum begins 7.1 km express road, Borno’s fourth flyover

… To start new market, orthopaedic hospital, others

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, flagged off the construction of a 7.1 km terminus junction to Molai express road with a 6-span bridge and the state’s fourth flyover along the busy Post Office area in Maiduguri, on Tuesday.

The projects, designed to address increasing vehicular traffic, aim to provide a seamless route for commuters and goods and significantly enhance access to key economic zones, schools and healthcare facilities.

With an estimated completion timeline of 8 and 10 months, the projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, further contributing to the state’s economic recovery and resilience efforts.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 7.1km terminus-Molai express road along Tashan Kano, Zulum said, “In continuation of our urban renewal programme, this morning we are here to flag off the construction of 7.1 km dual carriageway from Borno express terminal to Molai and also the construction of an additional bridge downstream of the road.”

He added, “What we are doing is not only for beautification but also to accommodate the increasing population growth in Maiduguri. We must expand the city.”

In the meantime, Zulum also charged the contractors for all the projects to ensure strict compliance with quality specifications and timely completion.

“Ten months is 10 months, the total contract sum is 16bn and we have paid 50% of this amount. So, the contractor has no excuse for delaying the project. We have also kept aside the remaining 8bn to be paid when due,” Zulum said.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr Mustapha Gubio, emphasised that the 6-span bridge is meant to link the new road along the two sides of the Ngada-Bul River.

The commissioner also acknowledged that the ministry will adequately monitor the projects and ensure diligent compliance with the contract specifications.

… To start new market, orthopaedic hospital, others

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced 5 key projects, including a new market, an orthopaedic hospital, another General Hospital, an international hotel, and a western bypass.

The Governor, who announced the 5 projects and many other developmental services on Tuesday in Maiduguri, assures that they will be completed before the expiration of his tenure.

“We want to construct a befitting additional market, an orthopaedic hospital, another General Hospital, an international hotel, and a western bypass. These are some of the major projects I want to execute before my tenure expires. Most importantly, completing all the ongoing projects,” Zulum stated.

Additionally, Governor Zulum expressed concern over the acute water shortage faced in Maiduguri Metropolis and surrounding communities which he said was caused by the destruction spurred by the flood disaster of last September (2024).

The Governor, however, appealed to residents for calm while assuring them that the state government is committed to addressing the problem. He said, “Maiduguri water supply network was damaged by last year’s flood, and the city is faced with acute water shortage. We are working very hard to complete the repair work on time.

He also stated, “I want to appeal to the people of the metropolis. The government is very aware of the situation and we are doing everything possible to address it.”

Zulum begins 7.1 km express road, Borno’s fourth flyover

Plateau stakeholders hold emergency meeting on security, seek stronger community defence

By: Zagazola Makama

Stakeholders in Plateau State on Monday held an emergency security meeting convened by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang to address the rising wave of violence in the state.

The meeting, which began at 1:00 p.m. in Jos, brought together representatives from the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Plateau State Advisory Council on Inter-Religious Harmony, the Council of Chiefs and Emirs, retired security personnel, National Assembly members, former governors, and other key stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, Gov. Mutfwang called for collective and practical solutions to end the persistent killings across communities in the state.

During the deliberations, the Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and several other participants advocated for the strengthening of the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow.

They proposed making the outfit more inclusive and empowering it to serve as the first line of community defence before the intervention of federal security agencies. This position was widely adopted by many stakeholders at the meeting.

The governor further disclosed plans to set up a fact-finding committee and said arrangements were underway to facilitate a meeting between the elders of the state and President Bola Tinubu to discuss urgent security concerns.

The meeting ended peacefully at about 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025.

Plateau stakeholders hold emergency meeting on security, seek stronger community defence

Chinese national rescued in successful anti-kidnap operation in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A Chinese national, who was kidnapped on April 18, 2025, in Abuja, has been successfully rescued by the FCT Police Command.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola MakamaThe victim, employed by Panda Supermarket in Jabi and residing at Stargate Apartment, Durumi, was abducted by two men, Abdul Rahim Imman Chindo and Ahmed Suleiman, both of Sunbelt Textile, Sharanda Kano.

Following the ransom demand of ₦300 million, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command, in collaboration with the victim’s family and officials from the Chinese Embassy, initiated a full-scale operation. The kidnappers sent a video and photograph of the victim on April 20, 2025, reiterating their ransom demand.

On April 21, 2025, after conducting digital analysis of the video and identifying the possible location of the kidnappers, a joint operation with the Air Force led to the successful rescue of the victim from Kunkele Forest near Minna Airport, Niger State. The victim, unharmed, was brought to the FCT Police Clinic for medical treatment, where he was confirmed to be in stable condition.

The rescued individual was later handed over to embassy officials, Mr. Jiang Haifeng and Mr. Gong Guangwei, along with his sister and cousin, Mr. Robin Abolo. Efforts to apprehend the suspects are ongoing.

Chinese national rescued in successful anti-kidnap operation in Niger