Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

By: Zagazola Makama 

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.

The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.

Zagazola  reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.

Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.

Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.   

A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Resettlement: Baga community gifts Zulum farm produce

By: Our Reporter

Residents in Baga, a community in Kukawa Local Government Area, have presented gifts of farm produce including onion, watermelon and smoked fish to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to appreciate his bold effort of resettling Baga town over the last 3 years.

According to the residents, the resettlement of Baga town has provided them with financial independence, unlike when they were at the IDP camps where they depended on handouts to survive.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Abba Aji Alhaji Aji said, “Your Excellency, we want to most sincerely express our gratitude to you for your bold initiative to reopen Baga in September, 2020, and resettled us back to our communities.”

“In the past, we lived in IDP camps where we were unable to fend for ourselves and only looked out for handouts every month to survive. But now with your effort, we are in our homes in dignity and honour, we go out to farm, fish, and do all sorts of jobs to earn our livelihood.”

“Your Excellency, these farm produce you see are direct from our farms. We earn as much as we can eat and sell some to cater to our other needs. We came here to present this little gift to appreciate you and all the risks you have taken to ensure we are in our homes.”

“Sir, we would love to have presented much more than this. Had you come here at the peak of our harvest, you would be surprised by what we will present to you.”

In addition to the gifts, the community also presented an award of public service to Governor Zulum for the developmental projects he cited in Baga and all other parts of Borno State.

Governor Zulum expressed immense gratitude to the good people of Baga community for their resilience and commitment to hard work and nation building.

Resettlement: Baga community gifts Zulum farm produce

Zulum inaugurates 48-classroom school for almajirai

. Borno targets 1m jobs as Baga-Chad water clearance nears completion

By: Michael Mike

The governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated a new 48-classroom integrated learning High Islamic College in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.

The college, which was unveiled on Friday, is specifically designed to offer almajirai a comprehensive second chance at acquiring a balanced education. Its curriculum seamlessly integrates modern formal education with traditional Islamic knowledge and practical vocational skills training.

Speaking at the brief inauguration ceremony, Zulum described the initiative as a critical part of his administration’s policy of empowering the youth to address the problem of illiteracy and the root causes of insecurity facing the state.

The governor stated: “We will introduce Mathematics and English so that the non-formal educational system shall be streamlined with the formal educational system.

“We will ensure they get quality education which can qualify them to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that allows them admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”

Expressing excitement about the enrollment drive in Baga town, Zulum said: “I’m so happy to note that the enrollment is very good, and I have seen the number of children who came out to receive us. We shall do everything possible to retain them until they complete their studies. Therefore, I want to introduce a meal per day to the students here.”

The Baga school project is the latest in a series of about 20 similar integrated schools established by the Zulum administration across the state. It is part of the efforts towards sustaining the administration’s commitment to transforming the lives of millions of out-of-school children by imparting numeracy and literacy skills to them, which will enable them to contribute to the development of Borno State.

The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, noted that the state government had provided students with free uniforms, books and other learning materials.

“About 300 uniforms have been provided so far, but in Baga, there is a demand for over 500. We are sending more books, uniforms, dignity kits and bags. The government supplied all these items for free, absolutely free.

“The teachers are community-based and 23 of them are all residents of the Baga community. The principal was, however, promoted from the Local Education Authority,” the commissioner said.

The Governor was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba, member of the House of Assembly, representing Kukawa, Karta Maina Ma’Aji, commissioner of information and Internal Affairs, Prof. Usman Tar, Commissioner of Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, permanent secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma, Executive Secretary, BOGIS, Engr Adam Bababe, and other senior government officials.

. Borno targets 1m jobs as Baga-Chad water clearance nears completion

As part of the Borno State Government’s job creation and livelihood drive, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday inspected the Baga-Chad Republic Water Clearance Project which is in its final phase.

The project focuses on clearing decades of silt and invasive plant species from the river channels linking the town of Baga in Nigeria to the receding Lake Chad and opening transportation routes to the Republic of Chad.

Governor Zulum noted that when the project is completed, over one million jobs in agriculture, fishing, and through the trans-border trade will be created.

“Millions of jobs will be created once this clearance is completed. This is one of our major targets; once this work is completed, we can restore millions of jobs to our people,” he assured.

Governor Zulum also stated that the project would enhance the means of livelihood of the community.

He added: “You have seen people start fishing activities here, and above all, in the next few months, the work will be completed, and thereby, commodities will be conveyed from Baga to the Republic of Chad via waterways.

“It is one of the significant projects, which will enhance the socio-economic activities of the people and ensure they have more access to wealth. Above all, the movement of goods and services will increase. I believe this will be a game changer.”

The governor commended the federal government, the Nigerian military, the Naval Commander, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff “and all other military officers working very hard to ensure that access to Chad is open via the waterways.”

Zulum inaugurates 48-classroom school for almajirai