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Binocular: Why weapons are not tolerated inside the business hall of the NUJ during news conferences
Binocular: Why weapons are not tolerated inside the business hall of the NUJ during news conferences
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Sometimes one wonders when our younger colleagues of the pen will catch up with certain unwritten ideals and expectations of practice when it comes to our dear profession. Unwritten in the sense that we were taught in journalism school that you can learn these only in the field of practice. And we actually tapped from the older ones we met in the field those days. But the same cannot be said about the younger generation.
Their display of Ignorance of their own turf sometimes baffles me and the pertinent question raised above sometimes comes to mind.
The General elections in Nigeria has come and gone but there is so much to worry about our security architecture especially in Borno, north east Nigeria when it comes to the conduct of colleagues and how they protect their own interests, and even their lives. There is too much eye service within the first three estates and it is beginning to rub off on the fourth estate of the realm.
How do you for instance play so much to eye service that you do not know how to control the security people to be weary of weapons inside the chambers of the NUJ? Is anyone above the law that we should allow them enter the main hall of the NUJ with his or her weapons? What if one of them run berserk due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and shoots a generation of journalists inside the hall? Are politicians on campaign so fearful of journalists that they cannot come into our chambers without armed men protecting them. Regardless of the fact that we do not have a standing security architecture yet in our one entrance compound, is the Chairman in council not strong enough to protect them? What manner of power show is it that would make them take weapons into the hall in maiduguri to protect their own? Is that the reason why the UN agencies prefer to brief the gentlemen of the media in government house rather than the NUJ whenever they gather themselves around here as they did yesterday?
When hoodlums entered the press Centre in Kaduna not too recently with all manner of weapons and pounced on members while in a news conference with the revered Comrade Shehu Sani, our comrades learnt their lessons In a very hard way. There will surely not be a next time before they put in place a security check to ensure that no one crosses the red line again with any weapon even if he was a security operative from the government house. We as journalists do not carry weapons to protect our selves therefore nobody should be allowed to carry weapons into our halls for news conferences again no matter how highly placed. It must be as sacred as a hospital, church or a mosque were weapons are prohibited beyond the entrance were members assemble for business.As a matter of fact, even horns from cars are forbidden in such places.
During the last general election in Borno, a lot of unprovoked wrongs were meted out on us as a group but because we regard ourselves as gentlemen of the press, we tended to overlook them as friends that would not kill us just like that because they looked quite normal.
The security details of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Borno state had no business inside the centre even going to the extent of blocking our two entrances and teaching us how to handle our security. That was a big time wrong to congress and no press Centre anywhere in the country should tolerate it. If anyone would like to endanger the life of a politician its not journalists. We are gentlemen ruled by our ethics. They were supposed to stay outside and wait for the news conference to end before storming back into the centre to check their Principal. You do not carry your so called security drill into the hall of the NUJ anywhere and expect it to fly just because you get away with it inside the government house. Quite all right Jajeri was a Governorship candidate and our friend and I don’t think there was any reason for us to want to harm him to justify any security to bring weapons into our hall to protect him. Your drill does not apply to any of our press centres in the 36 states of the Federal Republic. We are the most peaceful estate of the realm.
The sacredness of the press Centre
I have always been a proponent of colleagues treating the press Centre as our own “barracks” as such ensuring that outsiders accord it the respect it should be given. No smoking of weeds inside and no sniffing of drugs even by friends of colleagues. We also do not want to wait until a security detail from any one who runs berserk one day and begins to spray everyone inside the hall with bullets before we secure ourselves. The press center committee should be able to monitor and ensure that the place is always secured from overzealous security details or hoodlums no matter how highly placed afterwards every registered member knows how to comport himself based on our ethics. It is our carelessness that gave the army boys the freedom to work into our centre and pick one of us like a hawk picking chicken before the scale fell from our eyes and we realized that we must go and get the fellow. They were supposed to see the chairman and make their complaints for him to intervene and not to pounce on members like Chicken before any one of us get to know about it. This cannot happen in the bar centre of the NBA.
As a rider to this, most of you my colleagues were there when I raised that critical issue as a motion for action to a former theatre Commander General Ali while he came in to ponder over and advise his overzealous boys accordingly before they repeat the mistake twice. I told him point blank that we have gone passed the stage where the security operatives will go after journalists as if they are endangered species to be roasted for Sala or Easter. Invite our people if they wrong you and we will march into the barracks and iron out the issues like comrades in arms and pen are supposed to do. That is the ideal that is expected.
Why security details should stop bringing arms to the centre
Even though Vips are allowed into the centre on invitation, no orderly of vips should be allowed to bring his arms into the holiest shrine of the centre and that is the hall where news conferences are held. It’s a big wrong and should never be allowed to happen. That is the standard anywhere in the world and we should not tolerate such arrogance from any of them especially the DSS where some of their trainee boys view themselves as untouchable.
Doing this is completely opposite to the norms of the free press we preach about. And anyone who refuses to comply does not have respect for us as the fourth estate of the realm. Bringing armed details who will be manning our doors for us when we are supposed to man the entrances for ourselves is a way of inviting what happened in Kaduna to Comrade Sani to happen in maiduguri one day and I say God forbid to that. We cannot stand and look at such abominations happen and we let it go because they are guarding a Governorship candidate. If we allow them, the worse may soon be visited on us.
All over the world, arms are not allowed into certain areas for the sake of mutual respect and accordance of status and prestige into the hall. Each time we watch the President of America walk into the hall meant for news conferences, he walks in alone in spite of the fact that he is the most protected human being on earth. Each journalist that is in that hall is well screened before entering the white house. That is the ideal in spite of the fact of whatever fears the intelligence guys may have against us. And Mark you their phones or tablets to work with are not seized from them.
As an aside, you do not run press conferences inside the government house without the chair of the NUJ present for instance. That is a wrong that must be corrected one day.
Binocular: Why weapons are not tolerated inside the business hall of the NUJ during news conferences
News
EXCLUSIVE: expanding JAS/ANSARU–JNIM violence signals growing jihadist threat in Niger–Kwara corridor
EXCLUSIVE: expanding JAS/ANSARU–JNIM violence signals growing jihadist threat in Niger–Kwara corridor
By: Zagazola Makama
Recent attacks by terrorists linked to Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru splinter factions and the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have brought into sharp focus a troubling expansion of jihadist violence into Nigeria’s North-Central zone, with Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State emerging as a new flashpoint.
On Jan. 9, 2026, terrorists operating along the Borgu axis attacked Damala village, a Kambari farming settlement in Borgu LGA. The assailants killed four residents, looted foodstuffs and livestock, and subsequently withdrew towards the Kainji National Park.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack followed a similar modus operandi to the Jan. 3, 2026 massacre at Kasuwan Daji, where villagers were killed and abducted in a coordinated night raid.
Deep findings indicated that Borgu and neighbouring Agwara LGAs have increasingly become areas of operation for a Saddiku-led Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) faction working in collaboration with JNIM fighters infiltrating from the Sahel.
The terrorists are believed to be exploiting the Liptako–Gourma tri-border forest corridor, which stretches across parts of Mali, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso, before filtering through Benin Republic into the Kainji National Park ecosystem.
Zagazola noted that the vast forested terrain of the park, combined with weak surveillance, has made it an attractive rear base for terrorist regrouping, logistics and cross-border movement. Borgu has been under sustained pressure, with attacks occurring at regular intervals.
On Nov. 21, 2025, gunmen abducted students of St. Mary Catholic School, Papiri, in Borgu LGA. The students were later released in batches on Dec. 8 and Dec. 22, 2025. It was revealed whether ransom was paid or not. However, Intelligence linked the abduction to JAS handlers operating from Ali Ngulde camp in the North-East.
This was followed by the Jan. 3, 2026 Kasuwan Daji attack and an earlier Jan. 5, 2026 assault on a Mobile Police (MOPOL) checkpoint at New Kali village, also in Borgu LGA. This point to a high probability of continued and potentially more daring attacks within Borgu LGA and adjoining areas over the next two weeks.
There are also growing concerns that the violence could spill into Kwara State, particularly Kaiama and Baruten LGAs, which border Kainji National Park. The terrorist groups have had sufficient time to regroup and reposition following recent security operations in parts of Niger State, increasing the likelihood of an operational surge.
“The pattern suggests deliberate expansion rather than isolated criminality,” a counterterrorism expert said. “This is ideological jihadist violence, fused with banditry and cross-border logistics. The Damala attack has further reinforced assessments that JAS/Ansaru factions and JNIM elements now maintain established bases within the Kainji National Park.
The systematic raiding of livestock and foodstuffs, analysts say, reflects the groups’ dependence on local communities for sustenance and their reliance on the park’s ecosystem for concealment, mobility and survival.
Military strategists describe the park as the terrorists’ operational centre of gravity, and, paradoxically, their main vulnerability.
Zagazola suggested that a sustained , intelligence-driven air campaign targeting known hideouts, logistics routes and assembly areas within the park could significantly degrade their combat power.
Such an approach, would fix terrorist elements in place, disrupt their supply chains and create favourable conditions for coordinated ground operations to restore security and prevent further expansion into Kwara State and deeper into the North-Central zone.
The unfolding situation in Borgu is widely seen as a warning sign of the evolving nature of Nigeria’s security threats, where jihadist groups displaced from the North-East and North-West are probing new theatres with weak state presence.
If left unchecked, the Borgu–Kainji axis could become a permanent jihadist sanctuary, linking Sahel-based terrorist networks directly to Nigeria’s heartland.
EXCLUSIVE: expanding JAS/ANSARU–JNIM violence signals growing jihadist threat in Niger–Kwara corridor
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
By: Our Reporter
Prominent Nigerians on Saturday converged in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to attend the wedding ceremony of three children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori.
Gatekeepers News reports that there was heavy traffic in parts of Maiduguri as dignitaries from all works of life made frantic effort to access the residence of Dalori and the Al-Ansar Mosque, the two main venues of the wedding ceremony.
Among those in attendance were top government officials, party leaders, traditiona rulers, business moguls, and religious leaders from within and outside Borno State. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, reflecting Dr. Dalori’s political influence and wide network across the country.
Leading the array of dignitaries is the National Chairman of the APC Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, othe members of National Woking Committee of the APC and large numbers of States Chairmen of the party .
Also in attendance were the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, his Deputy, Hon Umar Kadafur , three Senators from the state- Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Mohammed Ndume Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and members of the House of Representatives from Borno State
Others are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Borno State House of Assembly , former Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Alh. Ibrahim Bunu, Ibrahim , Former Deputy Governors of Borno State- Ali Jatau and Adamu Dibal .
The Deputy National Chairman of the APC was full of gratitude to his guests who left their various confort zones to attend wedding of his children- Usman, Falmata and Aisha .
” I’m immensely grateful our National Chairman of APC Professor Nentawe, our amiable Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum, the Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and the too many important personalities who came from far and near to honour my invitation, may Allah (SAW) bless you all ” Dalori said .
The wedding rites were conducted in accordance with Islamic injunctions, featuring special prayers for the couples, their families,. The atmosphere was marked by joy, unity, and cultural splendour, as guests exchanged pleasantries and goodwill messages with the host and his family
Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venues to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of activities. Traffic control officers were also on ground to manage the influx of vehicles and guests, while emergency and protocol teams worked tirelessly to coordinate movements and logistics.
The wedding ceremony came to a successful end with a reception that featured traditional music, refreshments, and continued interactions among guests, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare atmosphere of celebration and solidarity.
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
By: Our Reporter
A new video has emerged showing two men, allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, pleading for help.
One of the victims, Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, is seen in the video appealing for rescue.
The two men were taken hostage on December 17, 2025, while traveling from Miringa to Maiduguri.
In the video, the abductees said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $150,000 per person, totaling $300,000, for their release.
‘We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,’ one of the victims said. ‘We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.’
The victims specifically appealed to Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu to intervene and help secure their freedom.
‘We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said. ‘They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.’
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
EXCLUSIVE: expanding JAS/ANSARU–JNIM violence signals growing jihadist threat in Niger–Kwara corridor
Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding
JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman
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