Borno: Biu residents commend Betara over construction of township roads

By Peter Uwumarogie

Some residents of Biu Local Government Area of Borno have commended Hon. Aliyu Betara, member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency for constructing township roads in Biu town.

They gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Biu town on Monday.

Malam Rabiu Aliyu, a resident, said that the roads had helped mitigate flooding in his community while providing seamless access to homes.

Aliyu said that the intervention addressed the critical needs of the people as some communities within the town were not properly connected by roads until Betara’s intervention.

“This is what representation should look like; directly meeting the needs of your people.

“We commend the Federal lawmaker for helping residents see the dividends of good representation.

“He (Betara) may not be around us every time but what he has done can be seen, used, touched and felt, that’s governance,” he said.

For Suleiman Isa, another resident, the roads have not only added to the beauty of the town but reduced the cost of transportation around the town.

He said some residents could easily use bicycles from their homes to market, schools, worship centres and other locations without needing to pay to enter tricycles.

Isa said the construction of the roads had made communities within Biu town more connected and “that’s why many people now buy rechargeable bicycles and move with ease.

“The roads have really helped students as they now use bicycles to school and the good roads reduce their travel time and stress,” he said.

Mrs Esther Daniel said the roads have helped improve economic activities in her community as shops have been built along the roads where women sell their goods near their homes.

Daniel also said the project has helped improve mobility especially during the rainy season when the roads used to be flooded and largely inaccessible.

“Now even if it rained, we don’t get stuck at home; we still go and do our normal activities and return safely.

“Betara has been representing us well and we will continue to pray for him. It is not difficult to please Nigerians, just represent us well and we will support and love you.

“This is why many people love Betara because he is doing what makes life easy for his constituents,” she said.

For Hauwa Ibrahim, a resident who lives adjacent to Biu main market, Betara has shown goodwill to his people and “we are proud of him.”
Ibrahim, however, urged the Federal lawmaker to complete other roads that he had earmarked for construction so that “we too can enjoy what others are enjoying.

“Some communities along Gombe road have been marked for construction but are yet to be done.

“So in the spirit of inclusive governance, we appeal for those roads to be constructed to make it easy for residents there to access their homes and businesses,” she appealed.

Borno: Biu residents commend Betara over construction of township roads

Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.

During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.

The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.

The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.

The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.

Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.

Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.

The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.

In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.

The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.

Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.

The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.

The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.

Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau

ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo

By: Zagazola Makama

An inspection team from the ECOWAS Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters has assessed the operational readiness of Nigeria’s ECOWAS standby force at Naquora Barracks in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Brig.-Gen. Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, visited the barracks on Nov. 7, 2026, to evaluate the troops’ preparedness for possible deployment.

The team received briefings on troop readiness, training and administrative matters, and witnessed demonstrations on roadblock operations and crowd dispersal.

Massaquoi commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain high standards of professionalism, discipline and physical fitness.

The inspection visit ended without any incident.

ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo