Nigerian Army Captures Notorious Bandit Leader, Baka Wurgi Linked to Emir of Gobir’s Murder

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have apprehended a notorious bandit leader and arms dealer, Bako Wurgi, alias Baka NaGarba, suspected to be behind the murder of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Mohammad Bawa, in Sokoto State.

The operation, conducted on Dec. 14 at 10 p.m., followed intelligence reports that Wurgi was receiving treatment at a hospital in Shinkafi town, Zamfara State, for injuries sustained during a clash with a rival group.

Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurency Expert and Security Analysts in the Lake Chad region that troops apprehended Wurgi after discovering he had been transported to the hospital with multiple cuts and gunshot wounds.

The sources said that During the operation, two accomplices fled, but troops arrested another individual who assisted in transporting the suspect in a tricycle

The late Emir of Gobir was abducted on July 9, 2024, in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area, Sokoto State, and murdered on Aug. 22 after negotiations for his release collapsed.

Reports indicate that Wurgi played a key role in the kidnapping and subsequent killing, which involved ransom negotiations that included cash and motorcycles but ultimately failed.

Wurgi, an arms smuggler with international connections, is reportedly related to Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, through his grandfather.

His son, Sani Duna, is alleged to act as a getaway biker for Turji, highlighting familial links within the banditry network.

Wurgi’s arrest marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and banditry in the Northwest region.

Wurgi is currently being held at an undisclosed location, while a manhunt is underway for his accomplices

Residents in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states have lauded the operation, expressing hope that it will alleviate the long-standing impact of banditry and violence in the region.

Nigerian Army Captures Notorious Bandit Leader, Baka Wurgi Linked to Emir of Gobir’s Murder

Breaking: Governor Yusuf reshuffles cabinet, drops SSG, scraps COS portfolio

By: Our Reporter

In a major political decision, Kano state Governor Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf as announced a reshuffle of the state executive council to effect pragmatic political realignment of his administration.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, on Thursday, Governor Yusuf disclosed that the first major rejig of his cabinet takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, Governor Yusuf maintained the much awaited decision finally came to enable uptimum performance that will drive more dividend of democracy to the good people of Kano state.

Those affected by the major shake up are the Chief of Staff, Alh. Shehu Wada Sagagi whose office is now scrapped, and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi dropped on health ground.

According to Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf removed some cabinet members and reassigned others to enhance administrative performance and political retool.

Those who retained their positions are Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, Commissioner for Budget and Planning Hon Musa Suleiman Shannon and Commissioner for Works and Housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad.

Also retained are Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefiyanu Hamza, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Shiekh Ahmad Tijani Auwal, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya and that of Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris Rtd.

According to the statement, those reassigned are the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam who is moved from Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education, Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman moved from Science and Technology to Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata from Higher Education to Science, Technology and Innovation.

Others on reassignment list include Hon. Amina Abdullahi from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to Ministry for Women, Children and Disable, Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to Ministry of Special Duties.

Commissioner for Project Monitory and Evaluation Hon. Ibrahim Namadi now moved to Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa of Ministry of Education now moved to Ministry of Water Resources.

On the reassigned list, are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda moved from Water Resources to Ministry of Education, Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji from Ministry of Women, Children and Disable to Tourism and Culture, and Hon. Muhammad Diggol from Transport to Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet to include Ibrahim Jibril Fagge, of Finance Ministry, Ladidi Ibrahim Garko, Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye, Information and Internal Affairs, Shehu Aliyu Yammedi, Special Duties and Abbas Sani Abbas, Rural and Community Development.

Also, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners that are dropped to report to the office of the Governor for possible reassignment.

Breaking: Governor Yusuf reshuffles cabinet, drops SSG, scraps COS portfolio

BOSU VC,URGES STUDENTS TO WORK HARD ON THEIR STUDIES

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Vice Chancellor of Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti has called on students in the state to work hard towards being great leaders of tomorrow.

Professor Gutti made the call when members of Damboa Youth Progressive Awareness Forum paid him a solidarity visit in his office recently.

Gutti urged them to also reduce what he termed ‘screen time’ , attend lectures frequently as well as concentrate on their studies to graduate with good grades.

He also advised them to key into the Nigerian Education Loan fund (NELFUND) scholarship scheme to access loans that will help them in the course of their studies adding that, they are only required to pay back after completing their studies and secure a job.

On the problem of out of school children,the VC said Government has directed Local Government Education Secretaries (ES) to pursue it with vigour in conjunction with SUBEB while Local Government Councils,have been directed by the Governor to sponsor students to pursue their education in the University.

President of the Damboa Youth Progressive Awareness Forum, Mohammed Umar had said their visit was to congratulate the VC over his well deserved appointment.

Umar expressed concern over the rate of out of school children in Damboa council area adding that the issue of sponsorship by the council as well as lack of awareness on the NELFUND Scheme was a course for concern even as he called on the VC to assist in those directions.

In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti, has led a delegation comprising the Managing Director of Nelfund Akintunde Sawyerr and Cmrd lucky Emonefe, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to meet with Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Universities and State governments, fostering growth and development in the region.

BOSU VC,URGES STUDENTS TO WORK HARD ON THEIR STUDIES