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Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
By Yusuf Adamu
30 years ago, there was the same incident in Maiduguri. I can recall my days as a pupil at the Yerwa Practice Primary School. The two rivers that brought floods to Maiduguri, which are the Gadabul and Ngada rivers, have their connecting points near our school. The deepest places we used to go and swim were near the Satus Hotel, a place we called ‘Buzaye’. Our seniors are the ones that go play around that area. We that are junior classes used to go near the veterinary clinic to play because it was not as deep as the area where Satus Hotel is currently situated.
Before the government constructed the Lagos Street Bridge, people at that time used canoes for crossing to the other side and back. Also, there is a place between Gwange and Kulogumna where canoes used to ferry people across the rivers. The Custom Bridge and that of Gwange are one lane; as such, vehicles cross the bridge at a time, as it cannot take two to cross from the sides. Usually during the rainy season, the students, especially those who are living in town, are being asked to remain, while only children from GRA go to Yerwa Practice because the water usually cuts off people from either side. That is why, for me, I have classmates both at Yerwa Practice and Central Primary School. This is owing to the divide as a result of rain whenever it comes as such.
Today, the whole of the river banks are occupied by buildings due to the development of the city. People failed to check the history of these places where they buy plots and build their houses. They block the ways of the rivers, and there are no channels constructed in such a situation. One thing with rivers: they always come their way unless they are diverted. But in this situation and especially on Maiduguri, there are no such diversion or some sort of channels made in readiness for such a situation. People build indiscriminately and never remember that history has a place to play in building. This is the impact we are seeing today.
Today’s government, under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has done well in the construction of roads and drainages in Maiduguri, which is supposed to bring ease to such a situation. But still, the people use such drainages as dumping grounds for waste. I was in Maiduguri recently, and looking at the efforts of the government, I said that with all these in place, flooding is not likely to takeover the state as it has for the last 30 years. People refused to take care of these drainages. They are not conscious of the surroundings and what is likely to happen in such a situation.
I recalled that at a point the state governor warned of indiscriminate building along the river banks and ordered the demolition of such illegal buildings, but the reaction from the people was something else. This has made the government retrace its steps towards averting such a disaster. The government, however, continued to educate the people on the need to keep their drainages open and to make ways within their communities for water passage, but they kept close ears to warning signs. If history has it 30 years ago, what makes the people think that it cannot be repeated? Why are we constantly in motion without counting the cost of motion? I think this should also be a lesson for our people to avoid in the future.
*Yusuf Adamu writes from Maiduguri
Flood in Maiduguri: Why we should learn from history
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Gombe State have arrested two suspected fuel suppliers believed to be providing logistics support to bandits operating in neighbouring communities in Bauchi State.
Security sources said the suspects were arrested on March 4 at about 4:30 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi State were sourcing fuel supplies from Kashere in Gombe State.
During the operation, operatives intercepted a red tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA, loaded with 29 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The vehicle was driven by one Aliyu Usman, 20, of Futuk Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, who reportedly fled the scene and escaped.
Two passengers in the vehicle, identified as Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40, both from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, were arrested at the scene.
The suspects claimed that the fuel was purchased in Billiri, Gombe State.
The police impounded the vehicle along with the 29 jerrycans of fuel as exhibits while investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in supplying fuel to criminal elements.
Efforts are also underway to apprehend the fleeing driver and uncover other members of the suspected supply network.
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army have successfully liberated Mansur Village and surrounding settlements in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State as part of the ongoing Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III.
The operation, led by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, targeted armed terrorists and criminal elements terrorising the local communities.
According to military sources, troops executed a coordinated offensive on identified flashpoints, dislodging terrorists who had attempted to seize control of Mansur Village. An AK-47 rifle was recovered during clearance operations, degrading the operational capacity of the insurgents.
Following the offensive, troops consolidated their positions and conducted patrols across Alkaleri LGA to maintain security and restore normalcy. Residents have reportedly begun resuming socio-economic activities in the area.
Military intelligence indicates that cross-border terrorist gangs operate within Plateau, Bauchi, and Taraba States, exploiting local terrains and engaging in fluid movement patterns to evade security forces.
The insurgents are reported to include high-value targets such as Mallam Lehi, Mai-Kunkuru, and Mallam Azuge, who operate in the Wase/Kanam forests and Jejin Madam axis.
The General Officer Commanding urged troops to maintain vigilance, stressing the importance of denying terrorists freedom of action while ensuring civilian protection.
Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III is part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to dominate insurgent corridors and restore peace and security in North East and North Central Nigeria.
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
An improvised explosive device (IED) planted between Yar Danya and Maikwanugga villages in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been safely neutralized by military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts.
Zagazola report that the operation, conducted on March 3 at about 2:00 p.m., followed the discovery of the device along a key village route. Security sources said the EOD team successfully detonated the IED, preventing potential harm to residents and commuters in the area.
Patrol and monitoring activities by the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security forces had since been intensified in the vicinity to ensure the safety of the local population and prevent further threats.
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
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