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Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari
Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission representing Yobe State, Hon.Jibirin Mai Gari, said we are going from zone to zone to sensitize the citizens about their responsibility to the federal character office.
Hon. Jibirin Mai Gari, the former minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen in Potiskum. He said we are here in Potiskum, the headquarters of Zone B, on interactive meeting with our Yobeans.
“Secondly, periodically, we normally secure jobs for permanent and pensionable Yobeans, and we organize a symbolic ceremony. We also invite the guidance of the beneficiaries as well as the public to witness the presentation.
He revealed that the beneficiaries are Yobeans from either one of the 17 local government areas, and at the same time, they were giving this offer to represent Yobe State. There was no extortion; the only paper we collected from them was a photocopy of their CVs. We now go and submit for the job.
Therefore, we can say that what we gave today and what we gave yesterday is the property of Yobe State Government. Yobe State Government wanted to make sure that Yobeans were well represented in the MDs, so this is primarily what we are for in Potiskum headquarters of Zone B.
He maintained that the third issue is that the primary responsibility of federal character doesn’t stop with employment; we also have the issue of capital projects and socioeconomic infrastructure.
“We also use this opportunity to reach out to see that the local government understands that the issue of fairness and equity does not stop at the federal projects; states are also expected to consider all 17 local governments when they execute their projects, he added.
“Likewise, if you come to Potiskum local government, he has to consider the wards within the metropolitan area and the wards that are outside, so that we want them to have an even distribution of the project. This will create a kind of comfort and unity that people will not feel marginalized; actually, primarily, we are here to send this message to the public.”
Hon. Mai Gari further said that our achievements are sectoral; if we have recruitment into the military or paramilitary, we were invited, like in the case of recruitment into the junior army normally, like in the state we conducted in 241 Recca Battalion in Nguru, where all the 17 local government indigens were assembled with their recruitment officers. We make sure that we will check for all the 17 local government areas, then we screen.
“I want to make sure that all these vacancies for Yobeans are protected and secured, and this is what I can say about my achievements. Second, in terms of recruitment into MDs, we are so concerned despite the embargo on employment, despite the economic crises in the country.
Jibirin Mai Gari said that if there is any recruitment in all the MDs either in the north east, north central, or in Abuja, we want to make sure that after seeing the character balance indesis, how many Yobeans do you have? If it is less than 2.5, we have to now cry out to make sure that we bring Yobeans.
Federal Character Commission: We are moving to sensitize citizens on their responsibilities. Jibrin Mai Gari
News
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
By: Michael Mike
Leaders from several West African countries have agreed to pursue a new, structured approach to regional cooperation aimed at tackling terrorism, cross-border crime, and deepening insecurity across the sub-region.
The commitment was reached at the end of a two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security held in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, with Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their respective delegations.
Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo also participated.

Discussions at the conference focused on the worsening security situation in West Africa, which leaders described as facing an alarming rise in terrorism and violent extremism. Participants noted that the frequency of attacks and loss of civilian lives now pose a serious threat to regional stability, economic activity, and social cohesion, making coordinated action unavoidable.
The conference followed earlier technical sessions involving Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security, as well as intelligence chiefs from participating states. Development partners, including the African Union Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside civil society organisations, contributed to the deliberations.
Leaders agreed that existing responses to insecurity have been too fragmented and largely reactive. As a result, the conference resolved to work toward a permanent framework for cooperation that would strengthen collective responses, improve information sharing, and address the structural drivers of insecurity across borders.
A key outcome of the meeting was a renewed emphasis on a human security approach, recognising that military measures alone cannot deliver lasting peace.
The leaders pledged to prioritise governance reforms, job creation, access to education and healthcare, and community-based peacebuilding as part of national and regional security strategies.
On counterterrorism, the conference agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, harmonise legal frameworks to support cross-border prosecution of terrorism-related crimes, and expand deradicalisation programmes while upholding human rights standards. Measures to combat trafficking in arms, narcotics, and persons were also highlighted.
To strengthen border security, participants committed to exploring joint operational measures, including possible “hot-pursuit” arrangements through bilateral or multilateral agreements. They further agreed to develop a foundational Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and security within six months, with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tasked with leading the drafting process.
The conference also addressed humanitarian and climate-related challenges, recognising climate change as a factor that intensifies conflict and displacement. Leaders agreed to integrate climate and food security into regional peace planning and to work toward a shared disaster preparedness and humanitarian response framework.
At the close of the meeting, participants agreed to institutionalise the consultative conference as a bi-annual platform and to establish a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the implementation of agreed decisions.
The conference ended with a renewed pledge by regional leaders to translate commitments into concrete actions that safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen stability across West Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led the country’s delegation to the meeting.
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
News
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have stormed the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising 20 terrorists and destroying the stronghold.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the decisive, well-coordinated offensive followed credible intelligence that over 100 bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and logistics movements.

According to the source, the troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, conducted week-long surveillance before moving to intercept the terrorists.
“Contact was established on Jan. 31, 2026, as the terrorists advanced. They engaged the troops in a fierce firefight and attempted a flanking manoeuvre, but this was repelled by superior firepower,” the source said.
He said 20 terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Follow-up operations, the source added, were ongoing to assess further casualties and recover additional items.

The raid yielded significant recoveries, including assorted weapons and ammunition, bicycles, food supplies, medical drugs, clothing, detergents and other logistics materials.
“The Gwaska Dan Karmi camp was completely destroyed,” the source said.
He noted that troops remained highly motivated, with combat efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
News
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Police Command, have rescued an abducted man in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that the incident occurred on Jan. 29, when armed bandits invaded the residence of Abdullahi Isah Nagari on the outskirts of Tsafe town and abducted him to an unknown destination.

According to the source, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tsafe Division promptly mobilised to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
“During a thorough search of the surrounding bushes, the victim was successfully located and rescued. He was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand,” the source said.
The sources added that the victim was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was receiving medical attention.
The source said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while security patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further occurrences.
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
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