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Fresh scandal hits borno NSCDC as officer accused of stealing truck spare parts, selling exhibits under command’s watch
Fresh scandal hits borno NSCDC as officer accused of stealing truck spare parts, selling exhibits under command’s watch
By: Zagazola Makama
A new wave of scandal has erupted within the Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following an explosive investigation by counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, which uncovered allegations of theft, extortion, and conversion of recovered exhibits by the officer in charge of the Njimtilo outpost.
The incident, now causing an uproar among residents in Maiduguri, centres on Usman Y. Bulama, the Divisional Officer in charge of the Njimtilo NSCDC post, who allegedly stole or knowingly received stolen truck spare parts, sold them, and then attempted to extort money from the rightful owner.
According to findings a Maiduguri-based mechanical engineer repairing heavy-duty trucks at Njimtilo reported that key spare parts worth over N800,000 were stolen from his garage at night. Days later, the owner was shocked to discover the same spare parts inside the NSCDC Njimtilo outpost, under the custody of Officer Bulama.
When confronted, Bulama reportedly told the owner that he had “recovered the parts from a thief” — yet could not produce the alleged thief, provide a report, or explain how the items left his custody.
Rather than release the recovered property, Bulama allegedly demanded N500,000 as “settlement” before the items could be returned. The victim offered N100,000, but the officer refused and insisted on collecting nothing less than the full N500,000.
Investigations revealed that after internal pressure mounted at the command headquarters, the officer suddenly re-produced some of the spare parts, but four key components valued at over N800,000 were missing. He claimed the missing items were “never recovered”.
However, It ater uncovered that Bulama had sold the missing spare parts, and that N150,000 was transferred into his personal account as payment. In a revelation that stunned the investigative panel, the buyer of the stolen spare parts told investigators that he purchased the items as an official auction within the NSCDC outpost.
He said he did not know they were stolen exhibits but believed they were legally auctioned materials released under the authority of the divisional office. The testimony raises deeper questions about the operational culture within the NSCDC command, and whether officers have been routinely converting recovered items for private gain.
After the matter reached the Commandant of the NSCDC in Borno State, Mr. Muhammad Hassan-Agalama, the divisional officer was relieved of his command and directed to face a disciplinary committee.
But despite the findings confirming the sale of the stolen items, transfer of proceeds into his personal account, and failure to produce either the alleged thief or the recovered property, the command neither prosecuted the officer nor imposed any meaningful punishment.
Meanwhile, the victim did not recover his missing property, further fuelling public anger over what many describe as “institution-protected theft”.
This was not the first scandal under the same command, Zagazola’s investigation uncovered a troubling pattern of alleged misconduct within the NSCDC Borno Command, particularly under Commandant Hassan-Agalama.
Sometimes this year, a truck loaded with banned scrap metals materials prohibited for movement by the Borno State Government was reportedly released on the direct orders of the Commandant.
In another incident, a tanker filled with scrap metal was also released under similar circumstances, despite the standing ban. The recurring controversies caused serious embarrassment to security stakeholders in the state. These incidents eventually led to the removal and transfer of Commandant Hassan-Agalama to the Kano Command after spending less than three months in Borno.
The Njimtilo incident “reflects a pattern of internal breakdown that, if unaddressed, will compromise the Corps’ mandate in the state.”
The absence of strict disciplinary action encourages impunity and damages public trust in law enforcement institutions.
We are calling for immediate prosecution of the officer, recovery of the stolen items, and a total overhaul of the NSCDC outposts across the state.
For now, the command is yet to issue a public statement on the latest scandal.
Fresh scandal hits borno NSCDC as officer accused of stealing truck spare parts, selling exhibits under command’s watch
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that five persons were killed and several others abducted in a deadly attack on a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede Highway near a military checkpoint in the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
According to the source, an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa State registration number HJA 687 YD, conveying passengers from Abuja to Ilesha, was riddled with bullets during the attack.
“Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” the source said.
The sources added that one of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with gunshot wounds and rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obajana was said to have mobilised joint security teams to the area for assessment and rescue operations.
Further bush-combing and intelligence-led operations later led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers. They were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah.
Some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.
The police said about four passengers from the bus are still unaccounted for.
The sources Investigation has commenced, while strategies for further rescue operations and the arrest of the perpetrators are being intensified.
The command assured residents and road users of its commitment to restore safety along the highway and bring the attackers to justice.
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have engaged and repelled suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an ambush operation in Borno State, neutralising one fighter and recovering arms and ammunition.
Sources said that the encounter occurred at about 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, when the troops made contact with the terrorists.
The sources said the terrorists fled in disarray after the troops opened fire, leading to immediate exploitation of the area.
“One terrorist was neutralised. One AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered,” the sources stated.
It added that troops expended 47 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement, with no casualties recorded on the side of the military.
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State’s media arm, Amaq News Agency, has claimed responsibility for an overnight attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger’s capital, marking a rare strike close to the heart of the city.
In a statement circulated on Friday, Amaq said fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out a “surprise and coordinated” operation on the night of Jan. 29–30, targeting Air Base 101 located within the airport complex.
The group alleged that the attack caused “significant damage” and “heavy losses,” though Nigerien authorities have not released official casualty figures. Airport operations reportedly continued after the incident, while damage assessment was ongoing.
Zagazola report that the assault, which lasted several hours on the night of 28–29 January, was carried out by armed assailants mounted on motorcycles who switched off their headlights to infiltrate the city undetected.
The attackers reportedly targeted military installations co-located with the civilian airport, including drone platforms, air defense systems, and commercial aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines. Mortars, drones, and small arms were used in the attack.
The Nigerien Defense and Security Forces, with the support of Russian African Corps personnel, repelled the assault, sustaining four injuries among security personnel. Twenty assailants were neutralized, 11 apprehended, and several motorcycles destroyed or seized. Civilians were unharmed.
Reacting to the incident, Niger’s military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of backing the attackers, while commending Russia for its support to Niger’s defence efforts. ISIS had now came out to claim responsibility for the attack dismissing the initial claims of Niger’s Junta.
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
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