Zulum Allaocates New Site for Permanent NYSC Orientation Camp in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has proposed the relocation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp from its current site within the city center to Government Secondary School, Auno.

Governor Zulum identified sustainability, security, and future expansion as critical factors in his proposal.

Speaking during an inspection of the facility alongside the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, and other management staff of the Corps, Zulum, on Friday, said the decision was driven by long-term planning rather than short-term convenience.

“One of the key reasons I am proposing this location for the NYSC permanent orientation camp is sustainability. In the next one or two years, we may be hosting between 3,000 and 5,000 corps members. Keeping such a population within the town will create pressure on infrastructure,” Zulum stated.

The governor noted that the ongoing construction of a bypass located about two to 2.5 kilometres from the site would enhance accessibility, while the Teaching Hospital—expected to be commissioned within the next two to three months—and the State University along the same axis further underscore the area’s strategic importance.

“This corridor is fast becoming a major institutional and development hub. If we are serious about long-term planning, we must move to a more spacious and strategic location,” he added.

According to him, the facility includes two hostels with eight dormitories, a dining hall and kitchen, 26 classrooms with attached offices, seven laboratories, and 12 additional rooms, an overhead water tank and a functional solar-powered borehole. He added that the classrooms alone can accommodate between 1,300 and 1,500 corps members at a time.

On security, the governor assured that the location can be effectively fortified, noting the proximity of security formations and a military checkpoint in the area.

“If this place is deemed suitable after your assessment, we will strengthen the perimeter fence, improve security architecture, and install modern technological gadgets to prevent intrusion. Once properly secured, this location will be ideal,”

He further pledged to provide accommodation for NYSC officials, including the possible acquisition of additional housing within the Federal Mass Housing Estate.

“As governor, I would rather invest public resources in a location that guarantees sustainability, expansion, and long-term value—not one that will soon become congested and inadequate,” he stressed.

In a remark, the Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for what he described as a rare and forward-looking proposal to establish a permanent orientation camp in the state.

“His Excellency’s offering is uncommon. It is futuristic and shows he is thinking far ahead of where we currently are. That is exactly where this scheme is growing into,” Nafiu said.

He noted that the Federal Government has, in recent years, increased the number of corps members mobilised annually, from 300,000 to 350,000, then 400,000, and now 450,000 in 2026.

The Director-General emphasized that security remains a critical factor in the deployment of corps members nationwide. He lauded Governor Zulum for inviting the Garrison Commander and Theatre Intelligence Commander to participate in the assessment of the proposed site.

“His Excellency has graciously asked security commanders to join us in inspecting this land so they can properly advise on safety and other requirements,” he added.

Secretary to Borno State government, Hon. Bukar Tijani, explained that Borno State Government developed the structure but it was never put into operation, adding that the facility is fully fenced, with portions of the perimeter wall having collapsed due to animal intrusion and lack of use.

Zulum Allaocates New Site for Permanent NYSC Orientation Camp in Maiduguri

Rising Tensions in Plateau Demand Urgent, Coordinated Intervention

By: Zagazola Makama

Emerging security indicators from Plateau State point to a fragile and potentially volatile situation as tensions between Fulani pastoralists and Berom communities in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas show signs of spreading toward the Jos metropolitan axis.

Security observers warn that without swift and carefully calibrated intervention, the current pattern of killings and reprisal attacks could degenerate into a broader ethno-religious crisis reminiscent of past upheavals that once paralysed the state and reverberated across parts of Northern Nigeria.

For years, rural communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi have experienced recurrent clashes linked to grazing routes, land use disputes and cycles of retaliation. However, recent developments suggest that the tension is no longer confined to agrarian flash zones.

Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas , historically sensitive due to longstanding disputes over indigeneship, political representation and religious identity, are now recording heightened anxiety linked to incidents in the hinterlands.

Particularly concerning are reports of killings involving youths from Jos North while transiting through Barkin Ladi. Such incidents risk reframing what had been largely rural land-use conflicts into a broader ethno-religious confrontation within the Jos township, long regarded as a symbolic and demographic fault line.

Jos’ strategic location in the North-Central corridor further raises the stakes. Historically, major unrest in Plateau has had spillover effects into neighbouring states, including Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano, where sectarian sensitivities remain latent but potent.

Recent intelligence point to the crystallisation of hardline positions among youth groups on both sides. Berom youth elements have reportedly issued ultimatums prohibiting grazing activities in parts of Barkin Ladi, citing recent killings as justification. Conversely, Fulani youth groups are said to have rejected such demands and pledged to sustain established grazing patterns.

Zagazola warn that ultimatums of this nature are structurally incompatible and tend to narrow the space for negotiation. Left unaddressed, they create an environment in which symbolic defiance becomes more important than compromise, increasing the likelihood of confrontation.

Religious and traditional leaders across affected communities retain significant grassroots influence. Yet it was noted that structured, proactive mobilisation of these actors toward de-escalation has not reached the intensity required by the moment.

Plateau’s past recovery from large-scale violence was partly driven by interfaith dialogue platforms and the moral authority of respected community figures who framed peace as a shared survival imperative. A similar mobilisation is urgently required.

Equally important is the posture of the state. In polarised environments, perceptions often carry as much weight as actions. Confidence-building measures that visibly demonstrate neutrality and inclusiveness are considered critical to preventing narratives of bias from taking root.

Another emerging concern relates to allegations of unprofessional conduct by some security personnel in affected areas. Though such claims remain under review, experts caution that even isolated incidents can erode public trust and complicate stabilisation efforts.

Effective counter-conflict operations require not only tactical capability but also legitimacy. Maintaining discipline, transparency and accountability within security deployments is therefore essential to preserving operational credibility.

Beyond immediate containment, emphasise should be taken that Plateau’s recurrent crises are deeply rooted in structural issues: land tenure ambiguity, demographic pressure, youth unemployment, historical grievances and politicisation of identity.

A purely reactive security response, while necessary in the short term, cannot substitute for sustained political engagement, institutional reform and economic inclusion.

The current moment presents both danger and opportunity. Danger, because escalating rhetoric and retaliatory cycles could rapidly overwhelm existing security architecture. Opportunity, because early, coordinated intervention can prevent escalation and reinforce lessons learned from past crises.

Urgent synchronised engagement across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos North and Jos South LGAs is essential to prevent displacement of conflict from rural to urban centres. De-escalation efforts must be simultaneous and inclusive to avoid creating vacuums that hostile actors could exploit.

Dialogue with youth leaders, activation of religious and traditional networks, reinforcement of neutral security posture and strategic communication to counter inflammatory narratives are widely viewed as immediate priorities.

Plateau’s stability remains central not only to its residents but also to the wider North-Central geopolitical zone. The trajectory of events in the coming days will likely determine whether the state consolidates its fragile calm or slides back into a cycle of confrontation.

The window for preventive action remains open but narrowing.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

Rising Tensions in Plateau Demand Urgent, Coordinated Intervention

Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Mr John Kyoro Christopher, has condemned the killing of five innocent Hausa youths by protesting Birom Youths along the Nding axis of the council area, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable.

Christopher, who addressed journalists in Jos North, said the victims were young men from Jos North Local Government Area Traveling to their various businesses when they were attacked and killed for committing no offence.

Zagazola reports that the incident occurred hours after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits allegedly killed seven persons in a reprisal attack in Dorowa Babuje village on Feb. 22.

Following the earlier attack, some irate youths reportedly blocked the road along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi LGA and began attacking commuters identified as Hausa. Four persons were allegedly selected and killed on the spot, while a fifth later died from injuries sustained during the attack.

The victims were said to be Hausa indigenes of Jos North, a development that heightened tension in parts of the Jos metropolis, including Terminus and Gangare areas. Which Prompted immediately security response from Joint troops of Operation Enduring Peace.

Reacting to the incident, Christopher condemned the action in the strongest terms.

“These were young, promising men travelling to carry out legitimate businesses. They were not armed and did nothing to provoke anyone. Stopping travellers and killing them is not our culture. It is totally unacceptable,” he said.

He described the perpetrators as individuals without conscience, stressing that no one had the right to take another person’s life.

The chairman thanked security forces deployed to the area for their swift intervention, noting that their presence prevented the situation from escalating into a wider crisis.

He commended personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, the military under Operation Enduring Peace, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their coordinated response.

According to him, security operatives promptly visited the scene, recovered the remains of the victims and ensured they were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Christopher also appreciated community leaders, youth leaders and religious stakeholders in Jos North for showing restraint and working to maintain calm despite the provocation.

“We have worked hard to sustain peace and unity in Jos North and Barkin Ladi, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. We must not allow this painful incident to destroy the progress we have made,” he said.

He appealed to residents, particularly youths, not to take the law into their hands, urging them to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate the matter.

The chairman called on government and relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

“One of the primary responsibilities of government is the protection of lives and property. Innocent lives have been lost, and the laws are clear. The perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice,” he said.

Christopher reiterated his commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence in the area and urged residents to remain vigilant while cooperating with security agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The Residents of Jos North Lauded leadership demonstrated by the Chairman of deserves strong commendation.

“At a time when emotions were high and tensions could easily have spiralled out of control, the chairman chose the path of restraint, responsibility and statesmanship. Instead of inflaming passions, he publicly condemned the killing of innocent youths in clear and unequivocal terms. That moral clarity is what leadership demands in moments of crisis.

They equally condemned conduct of Rev. Dachomo and the Birom youths’ Barrister Solomon for declaring war in the state instead of deescalating tension. in the aftermath of the killings.

“It is deeply troubling that Rev. Dachomo reportedly visited the scene of the killings yet failed to clearly and publicly condemn the murder of unarmed young men who were simply on their way to legitimate businesses. At a moment when leadership demanded calm, moral clarity, and empathy for grieving families, silence or selective outrage only deepens division,”they said.

“Even more concerning is the alleged call for war by individuals who are fully aware of what already transpired. When leaders, particularly religious and youth figures, resort to inflammatory rhetoric instead of advocating peace and justice, they risk pouring fuel on an already volatile situation.

“The killing of innocent commuters cannot be justified under any narrative not retaliation, not grievance, not identity politics. If seven people were killed in Dorowa Babuje by suspected criminals, the lawful and moral response is to demand justice through security agencies not to block roads and execute travellers based on ethnicity,”they added.

Barkin Ladi chairman condemns killing of five Hausa youths, urges restraint reiterate commitment to peace