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ANALYSIS: While NSCDC in Borno battles vandals, Yobe command caught escorting them — sabotage or systemic rot?
ANALYSIS: While NSCDC in Borno battles vandals, Yobe command caught escorting them — sabotage or systemic rot?
By: Zagazola Makama
Let’s not mince words: something stinks in Yobe, and the stench is coming from a scandal that cuts to the heart of national security and institutional credibility.
On July 8, 2025, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Yobe intercepted a truck stuffed with vandalised railway iron sleepers. Alongside it, a shiny NSCDC-marked Hilux van, yes, an official vehicle of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was caught red-handed escorting the stolen goods. And who was in it? Five NSCDC officers.
This wasn’t a case of mistaken identity. This wasn’t a situation where officers were tricked or “unaware of the content.” No. A total of ₦128,500 in bribe money was found hidden in one officer’s inner clothing. This was collusion. This was betrayal. This was sabotage.
And while the NSCDC in Borno State is cracking down on infrastructure vandals, parading suspects, and backing Governor Zulum’s bold efforts to protect public assets, their counterparts in Yobe were busy escorting criminals to Damaturu, enabling the theft and dismantling of Nigeria’s fragile railway infrastructure.
Let’s talk about Borno for a moment. In July 2023, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum banned metal scavenging entirely, citing clear links between scavengers, terrorism, and sabotage. People were trekking deep into forests Boko Haram territory not to farm or trade, but to dig up abandoned government property: street lights, cell towers, even military scrap. There were cases where scavengers picked up Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) thinking they were scrap metals. Some died instantly. Others caused massive panic.
And now, what happened in Kano just this week? An IED exploded inside a scrap pile, killing five people and injuring many more in the Hotoro area. Preliminary intelligence? The metal came from the North-East, most likely Yobe. The Kano State Government didn’t wait for another disaster; they immediately banned all scrap metal imports from the North-East. They’re connecting the dots.
So why are we not doing the same? Let’s break it down: In Borno, scrap scavenging is banned because it risks lives and national security. In Yobe, NSCDC officers are allegedly collecting bribes to escort stolen metal infrastructure potentially including explosives from forest zones undergoing military operations. In Kano, people are dying from explosives hidden in scrap metal traced to Yobe.This isn’t just corruption, it’s a national security threat from same NSCDC that is meant to protect these installations? The same agency tasked with defending our national infrastructure? The ones who take an oath to secure our communities?
Let’s ask the hard questions now, not when the next bomb explodes: Who licensed the scrap operators in these zones? Who signed off on the movement of tonnes of metal from remote forests to cities under NSCDC escort? Are scrap yards being monitored for IED contamination?Why are there no nationwide protocols between NSCDC, the military, and state governments on scrap metal movement?
The time for lip service is over. The time for “we will investigate” is done. The dots are connected, and the picture is disturbing.
It is not enough for Yobe NSCDC to remain silent while their officers are in custody. Nigerians demand answers. Governor Zulum was right to act in 2023. Kano has followed suit. Yobe must now take a stand before more blood is spilled over a business that is fast turning from petty theft into mass murder.
And for every officer who chooses bribes over duty, you’re not just sabotaging infrastructure. You’re sabotaging the very country you swore to protect.
ANALYSIS: While NSCDC in Borno battles vandals, Yobe command caught escorting them — sabotage or systemic rot?
Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a serving officer over alleged fraud involving N915,000 in a failed rice supply deal.
Sources said the case was reported on Sept. 11 at about 2:34 p.m.
According to sources, it was alleged that a Complainant (name witheld) in January 2024, gave a Police Inspector attached to Lagos State Command, the sum of N915,000 to supply 20 bags of rice.
“Ever since she received the money, she went into hiding until she was traced to her residence at Olusosun area of Ojota and brought to the station,” said the sources.
The sources added that on interrogation, the officer admitted to the crime and had been detained for appropriate disciplinary action.
The sources said investigation into the case was ongoing.
Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud
Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings
By: Lazarus Balami
The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has recently faced concerns regarding the allegedly restricted access of patients’ relatives to hospital wards due to security issues.
Earlier reports, including one by Zagazola Makama, have suggested that the gates at the hospital have been closed to limit entry.
NEWSng, however, reports that this summary of the situation does not fully represent the complexities involved that informed the measures taken.
The primary reason for these measures relates to rising security incidents within the hospital. It has been reported that thieves, posing as patients’ relatives, have managed to gain unauthorized access to the wards and steal phones and other valuables of patients and their relatives.
These individuals have exploited the vulnerabilities in the hospital’s entry protocols to commit theft and other illegal activities.
Such incidents have understandably raised alarm among hospital management and staff, prompting them to take action to ensure the safety of all patients and visitors.
Another source from the hospital confirmed that it was in response to these security breaches that the hospital security team took a proactive measure.
They have implemented stricter security measures, including monitoring the entrances more closely and conducting regular patrols within the hospital premises.
The situation has improved after security personnel apprehended several suspects involved in these criminal activities.
These individuals were handed over to the Gwange Police Station for further investigation and legal action.” The source said.
NEWSng reports that the actions taken by the security team demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to not only providing medical care but also ensuring a safe environment for its patients and their families.
It is, therefore, crucial to clarify that access to wards has not been entirely closed off. The hospital continues to prioritize patient care and recognizes the importance of having family members present to support their loved ones.
Security measures are designed not to alienate relatives but to protect them and the hospital community. Procedures may be more stringent, but they aim to safeguard both patients and visitors from potential harm.
Communication is vital in these situations. The media should seek clarity of information before reaching out to the public.
The hospital administration is also doing the necessary to ensure that information reaches the public effectively, alleviating concerns about restricted access.
Transparent communication can help foster understanding among relatives, patients, and hospital staff, thereby reinforcing trust.
Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings
Troops of Op-MESA intercepts nine illegal immigrants in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have intercepted nine suspected illegal immigrants in Ogun State.
Sources who confirmed the developments to Zagazola said the interception took place on Sept. 11 at about 6:00 a.m. when Op-MESA Team 9, led by ASP Vincent Ohilebo, was on duty at the Laderin pin-down point near the Immigration office.
“The nine intercepted persons, all male, confessed to being illegal immigrants.
“They were immediately handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service through its officer, Prince Omotola Adefemi, for necessary action,” said the sources.
The sources added that security agencies remained on alert to check the influx of irregular migrants into the state.
Troops of Op-MESA intercepts nine illegal immigrants in Ogun
NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna
Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud
Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings
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