News
Despite Massive Fund on Security, Borno Remains Committed to Welfare of Citizens- Pensioners
Despite Massive Fund on Security, Borno Remains Committed to Welfare of Citizens- Pensioners
By: Michael Mike
The National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Borno State chapter has said despite the massive fund expended on security in the state, the governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has remained focused and committed to the welfare of citizens, particularly in the prompt payment of pensions, salaries, and gratuities.
The commendation was given by the Chairman of the NUP in the state, Comrade Musa Alhaji Bukar, during a meeting in Maiduguri with executives from 30 branches, including those from the 27 local government areas.
Comrade Bukar noted that the governor’s directive to increase the monthly fund for outstanding gratuities for state retirees from one hundred million (N100 million) to two hundred million (N200 million) has significantly improved the lives and families of many, contributing to economic development.
The NUP Chairman also mentioned that Governor Zulum had paid 50% pension arrears to 1,115 state retirees for the years 2021 to 2022 last year, in addition to clearing pension outstanding arrears of 534 retirees across the 27 local government areas.
He highlighted that the payment of 25% gratuity to 500 Primary School Teachers, the settlement of gratuities for Local Government Retirees, the continuous payment of monthly pensions without delay, the resolution of 25% payments to late cases in the state, and the clearance of 399 outstanding pension arrears to the primary school board represent significant progress. He applauded the swift approval and release of billions of naira and encouraged the government to continue its support by reviewing pensions to help retirees cope with the rising cost of goods and services in the state.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank you all for honoring this invitation. It is an occasion for us to meet and discuss our achievements and the way forward,” said Comrade Bukar. “On behalf of the NUP in Borno, I commend Governor Babagana Zulum for his dedication to improving the retirees’ plight through prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.”
He added that: “We greatly appreciate Governor Zulum for the increased payments of outstanding gratuities to our state retirees, which has transformed many lives and families towards economic development.”
Bukar urged the government to not rest on its laurels but to come to the aid of pensioners by adjusting pensions to help those with minimal funds withstand the inflation of goods and services in the state.
Meanwhile, among the communiqués issued at the end of the NUP meeting was a strong call on other state governors to emulate Zulum in addressing the plight of the citizenry, particularly retired and serving civil servants, and to foster unity among its members.
Despite Massive Fund on Security, Borno Remains Committed to Welfare of Citizens- Pensioners
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
By: Our Reporter
Judge bars him from inciting public, undermining national security
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for alleged cybercrimes, with the court barring him from further making statements that are detrimental to the peace and security of the country.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, threatened to revoke the bail granted Sowore’ should he ever make such statements. The arraignment came after two previous attempts, with the politician’s lawyer introducing what the DSS lawyer, Akinolu Kehinde SAN, called legal obstacles.
On Tuesday, however, Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.
The ruling was on a bail application argued by his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, shortly after Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge, in which he is accused of defaming President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in his posts on X and Facebook.
When the charge, being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), was read to him, Sowore pleaded not guilty.
In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, is accused of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal
The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.
Details shortly.
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
News
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have carried out a series of coordinated attacks across parts of Zamfara State, killing one person and abducting several others in Zurmi and Bungudu Local Government Areas, security sources have confirmed.
In the first incident, bandits invaded Tungar Tsamiya village in Moriki District of Zurmi LGA at about 10:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, shooting dead one resident and abducting 10 others.
Security forces launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the victims.
Barely hours later, on Monday morning, another group of bandits attacked Doguwar Gona forest in the same Moriki District.
The assailants abducted 17 men and women who were in the area fetching firewood. Security personnel are tracking the movement of the attackers with the aim of rescuing the captives.
In a separate incident in Bungudu LGA, gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed Makwa village in Kurar Mota District at about 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 1 and abducted an unconfirmed number of residents.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and police operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, have intensified efforts to rescue all abducted victims and restore calm across the affected communities.
Search operations are ongoing.
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday paid a sympathy visit to the Bishop of Kontagora, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, following the recent abduction of students of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The NSA, who arrived Kontagora by helicopter at about noon, was accompanied by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Tony Ajayi; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and senior officials from the Office of the NSA.
Ribadu and his entourage proceeded to the office of the Bishop at St. Michael Church, where they met with representatives of families of the abducted students, the school principal, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States, Bishop Joseph Hayap.
During the meeting, the NSA assured the community that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and staff.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending attacks on schools and ensuring the safety of students across the country.
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
Finally, DSS Arraigns Sowore on alleged Cybercrime Offences
One killed, dozens abducted as bandits launch multiple attacks in Zurmi, Bungudu LGAs in Zamfara
NSA Ribadu visits Kontagora Bishop, pledges swift rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren
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