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Borno Emir Says Tax Reform Bill Worst Than Boko Haram, Backs Ndume ,Zulum On Rejection

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Borno Emir Says Tax Reform Bill Worst Than Boko Haram, Backs Ndume ,Zulum On Rejection

By Melvin Uche

The Emir of Askira, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Askirama has said that the proposed tax reform bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be worst than Boko Haram insurgency which has impoverished the people of Northeast if passed by the National Assembly and assented by the President.

The Emir who stated this while hosting the Senator representing southern Borno senatorial district at the senate , Sen. Ali Ndume at his palace at the weekend during the Senator’s constituency tour of the senatorial district ,commended the lawmaker, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum for rejecting the bill, and defending the course of the poor masses.

He noted that the State Governor and lawmaker stance on the tax reform bill depicts their love for the cause of the common man.

The monarch also lamented the serial attacks carried out by Boko Haram terrorists in the recent time in his dormain, and called on President Tinubu and the Nigerian military to expedite action and end the Killings of innocent residents of Askira and surrounding communities.

Alhaji Askirama equally lamented the backwardness of the youths in Askira- Uba local government on education and called on the federal government to establish a higher institution such as a polytechnic in Askira to bridge the education gap in the council, and nearby local government areas, and further appealed to the federal government to deploy more troops in the area to halt the persistent attacks in the areas by the terrorists.

He appreciated the Senator’s gesture of touring the senatorial district and commended his quality representation to the people ,and assured him of support of his people in his activities.

Responding , Senator Ndume told the monarch, Alhaji Mohammed Askirama, that he was in his domain to keep the people and the youths abreast of the present economic hardship bedevilling the country, reiterating that the only way out of it is for the people to return to agriculture.

He urged youths and people of the senatorial district to embrace agricultural and business activities to beat looming food crisis and rising cost of living bedeveiling the people of the country.

Ndume said amid the global economic crunch, the only escape from hunger is for the people to engage in massive farming than relying on government and salaries, noting that the present minimum wage of N70,000 can’t afford a bag of rice sold for over N100,000, as well as a bag of beans that goes for N200,000.

He reminded the people that prior to the coming of the present administration, a litre of fuel was sold for N200, but has risen to N1200, while US dollars exchange rate to Naira, which stood at N600 then is now exchanged for N1600, hence he called on the people to switch to agriculture and trading to defeat the raging economic hardship.

Ndume, who began his constituency visit with Gwoza, charged the youths who were assembled at the Emir of Gwoza’s palace to take responsibility for security in the area and expose Boko Haram collaborators in their midst.

He noted that the terrorists could not have found their way to carry out attacks in some of the communities in Gwoza and other areas of southern Borno without informants, who are giving information to the terrorists, and urged the youths to deal with such collaborators before handing them over to the security agencies.

The senator commended the youths and residents of Gwoza for their resilience despite the activities of the terrorists in some areas of the local government area, and assured them that government is doing everything possible to ensure absolute return of peace in the areas for effective development.

He commended the state governor, Babagana Zulum, for resettling eleven communities previously displaced by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gwoza local government. He added that the governor is working hard to resettle the Ashigarsya, Hambagda, Wala, and Yamtake communities of the council.

At the emir of Uba palace, Senator Ndume urged youths in southern Borno to as well embrace education, saying that the certificate obtained could be useful, even while the youths engage in other activities, such as agriculture or vocational skills to augment their livelihoods.

Responding, the emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Manza, thanked God for bringing Senator Ndume safely to his domain and commended him for all the good work he has been doing for the people.

He appealed to the people of his domain to embrace agriculture and business as advised by the senator for prosperity and self sustainability, and appealed to government to train youths in the area on vocational skills and business.

Senator Ndume who also visited Damboa and Chibok local government areas as part of tour of his district also warned the youths against collaboration with Boko Haram terrorists and noted that the terrorists are succeeding in their atrocities because some of the residents of the areas are providing information to the terrorists.

He noted that some female residents of the Gwoza local government area are even taking food condiments to the terrorists under the guise of going to farm ,hence he called for change of attitude from such character.

He said the collaboration with the terrorists is the reason some pockets of attacks are still being carried out in four local government areas of southern Borno such as Gwoza, Damboa, Askira-Uba and some part of Biu.

Borno Emir Says Tax Reform Bill Worst Than Boko Haram, Backs Ndume ,Zulum On Rejection

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Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

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Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the remaining security challenges in the state.

The Governor made this pledge yesterday during the first regular State Executive Council meeting of the year, 2026, held at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.

Addressing members of the cabinet and top government officials before the start of the meeting, Governor Zulum emphasised that 2026 would be a year of consolidation.

He noted that while relative peace has been restored in many parts of the state, the government will not relent in providing the needed security in all parts of Borno.

Beyond the security interventions, Zulum also explained that Government will focus on the resettlement of internally displaced persons by investing in medium- and long-term durable solutions to challenges on the ground.

He noted that his government will also ensure the timely completion of all ongoing developmental projects across the three senatorial zones of the state to cushion the dividends of democracy desirable for the people.

He added that his administration will strengthen the social protection net of residents stating that “social protection remains central to our agenda as we rebuild Borno for a better future.

” While we shall not relent in providing social amenities to the great people of the state, the need to provide social protection to our people cannot be overemphasised.” said Zulum.

The meeting was attended by Commissioners, the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of State, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, and other members of the executive council.

Borno state governments have spent over 16 years of their developmental years battling insurgency which has tremendously slowed down the entire machinery of social engineering which should have taken the state to a very high level of stability if there was no security Challenges on ground.

Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office

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Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

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Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

By: Zagazola Makama

The outspoken Christian cleric in Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has called for ‘WAR’ in the state and also blamed President Donald Trump for bias in deploying United States security asserts in the campaign against the genocide of Christians in Nigeria.

In a footage circulating on social media, the cleric who is the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the call while addressing mourners at the burial of seven persons killed in a reprisal attack at Dorowa Babuje village in the local government.

“Rev. Dachoma was also heard declaring that residents would no longer “run away,” adding that if there was to be a “full-blown war,” they were prepared to defend themselves.

“We are not going to run away, if there will be full blown WAR it will start from today to the day that the God has placed for us. Let them continue to gather, we have chosen to die than to remain burying our brothers.

“My fellow brothers and sisters i am rounding this message so that we can go back and stay and go for war, since the Fulani said we will not rest in plateau, they are not afraid of the security from today we will not be afraid of the security.

The cleric further blamed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto of alleged bias in security arrangements affecting Plateau State and other Christian-dominated communities in Nigeria, saying, “

In a video circulating online, the cleric questioned the deployment of U.S military in muslims dominated northern regions and alleged neglect of Christian communities.

“We have chosen to die rather than continue burying our brothers,” he said, while calling on community members to remain resolute.

“When I invited Trump to Nigeria to come and help us, when Trump responded, their blueprint was that none of the soldiers of the United States should come to Plateau State,” he said.
“They directed their attention to Sokoto, where the Muslim-dominant area the Muslims are enjoying the coming of Trump.”

He continued: “If I were allowed to say Trump is in Nigeria to protect the Muslims… another batch is in Maiduguri, another batch were deployed in Kaduna and Bauchi. In Kwara, no batch is there. Rev. Dachomo further alleged that Christian communities were being neglected, stating: “The Yorubas were allowed to be killed like chicken. Benue, no army is there.”

He also made allegations against the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, accusing him sabotaging deployment of US forces.

“Why is it that he did not allow the American soldiers to come to Plateau State? They cornered them to please his people.”

The cleric alleged that insurgents who fled military operations elsewhere had relocated to Plateau communities. The insurgents that escaped from Sambisa and from Sokoto are right here in Manda, in Fars, in Okolindiri, Lingerie,” he claimed.

“It is from Lingerie that they came and killed those people, because the real training ground of terrorists is Lingerie.”

Rev. Dachomo also referenced the Sultan in his remarks, alleging what he described as a broader agenda against Christians. “That is Sultan road map to wipe out Plateau Christians and other Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Despite his strong accusations, the cleric acknowledged the efforts of local security operatives in preventing greater casualties during the recent attack.

“This could have been more than 100 corpses, but God used the security to give us enough protection when they saw the security move quickly,” he said.

Also, Barrister Solomon, President of the Berom Youths, was also heard in a related video expressing the same threat against the existence of Fulani in plateau state. “We can no longer guarantee peace and security on the Plateau if Fulani continue grazing on our land.”he said.

Solomon declared that the Fulani should awaits their response. “Fulani you have taken credit, Fulani You have taken credits,”he said.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent clip, however, he appeared to temper his earlier tone, saying: “Even some security have tagged me for the comments we made yesterday. My life is not more precious than this city. “I will not incite any violence in Plateau, but we deserve to be protected. We deserve it.”he said.

“I’m using this opportunity to call on our people let’s remain calm. Let’s continue as law-abiding citizens. We are not praying for similar things to happen. We are not at war with anybody.”

“The hausa of the Yoruba, the Igbos, and any other person that comes to Plateau should have it at the back of his mind that he will settle peacefully.”

“A Plateau man has never been known for any act of terrorism. But the Fulani have declared war on us, and it is so unfortunate that some people are falling victims of circumstance.”

He also appealed to federal authorities, stating:
“We are calling on Mr. President and the security governor. Please sir, since having security in our domain cannot guarantee our safety, why will it not be relocated to where the bandits are settled? So we will then know when they will come to attack us.”

Zagazola Makama report that Plateau State has witnessed recurring communal and banditry-related violence over the years, with security agencies continuing operations to curb attacks in vulnerable communities.

Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

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Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

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Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

By: Zagazola Makama

A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue, as part of ongoing investigations into the June 13, 2025 attack on the area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Prof. Saad Ahmed from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abuja, arrived in Yelwata on Feb. 23, 2026, alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja.

The sources said the delegation included members of the Presidential Medical Delegation and worked in collaboration with officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

According to the sources, locations of the graves were identified on the same day under adequate security provided by the Benue State Police Command.

The exhumation exercise commenced on Feb. 24, during which seven bodies were recovered.

The team continued the exercise on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, exhuming additional remains, bringing the total number of corpses recovered to 105 from 13 mass graves located in and around Yelwata community.

The exercise was concluded on Feb. 26.

Police sources said the exhumation was conducted to facilitate forensic inquests and strengthen evidence in the ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the killings.

“Seven corpses were initially exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise continued and further development will be communicated,” a security source said.

The deployment of forensic experts followed proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on Feb. 2, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata attack.

The court had emphasised the importance of forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.

Security officials said adequate measures were put in place to ensure the exercise was conducted peacefully and without disruption.

The June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata community reportedly resulted in the deaths of several residents and displaced many others, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for justice.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had earlier commenced prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the incident.

Authorities said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.

Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings

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