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How Notorious Informant, Awwalu Dan Garin Mararraba, Killed in Tsafe after long-standing double life as a vigilante and bandit accomplice
How Notorious Informant, Awwalu Dan Garin Mararraba, Killed in Tsafe after long-standing double life as a vigilante and bandit accomplice
By: Zagazola Makama
A notorious bandit informant, Awwalu Dan Garin Mararraba, was killed by residents of Mararraba, a community near Yankuzo under Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after his long-standing double life as a vigilante and bandit accomplice was exposed.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Awwalu, who was well known in Tsafe and surrounding areas, had allegedly been working as an informant for bandits while disguising himself as a member of the local vigilante group. Residents accused him of being responsible for the deaths of several people, either by providing intelligence to bandits or directly executing individuals under the pretense of fighting criminals.
Over the past year, Awwalu had been a controversial figure, suspected of using his position within the vigilante group to eliminate those he considered threats. Among his victims was a young man named Rabi’u Bawa (Zafa), who was executed under his supervision in Tsafe town. He was also said to have led the killing of another young man known as Mailahiya in Sabon Gari, allegedly over a financial dispute.
Despite these allegations, Awwalu continued to move freely between local communities, switching roles depending on the situation sometimes appearing as a vigilante and at other times seen in the company of armed bandits in the forests.
His luck ran out last week when he returned to Mararraba, his hometown, accompanied by an associate. The duo arrived under the guise of retrieving a motorcycle belonging to a local youth. However, their presence immediately raised suspicion among residents, who had grown wary of Awwalu’s activities.
Sensing danger, Awwalu and his companion attempted to hide inside a house, but the residents quickly locked them in. A crowd gathered as word spread that Awwalu, the alleged bandit informant, had been caught. In an unusual move, the residents reached out to Fulani leaders and other community elders in Yankuzo to witness the unfolding event.
When Awwalu was eventually brought out, he tried to defend himself by claiming that his brother, who is the village head of Mararraba, had invited him to the town for a business deal. However, his explanation did not convince the angry crowd.
The situation escalated into a heated exchange between Awwalu and his elder brother, with the village head denying any knowledge of his visit. Sensing that Awwalu was lying, the villagers decided to check his mobile phone for further evidence. Upon searching his phone, residents reportedly found multiple contacts and call logs linking him to known bandits operating in the area. This discovery confirmed their suspicions and sealed Awwalu’s fate.
As tension grew, the community members, alongside some Fulani leaders, agreed that justice must be served. Armed locals fueled by anger and a long history of grievances, immediately opened fire on Awwalu, killing him on the spot. Eyewitnesses reported that as he lay dying, Awwalu continued cursing and hurling insults at those who executed him.
Awwalu’s killing comes amid intensified efforts by local vigilante groups and communities in Zamfara State to rid their areas of bandit collaborators. Over the past few months, several informants have been exposed and executed as frustration grows over continued attacks and abductions.
The incident in Mararraba has heightened tensions in the region, with security forces now closely monitoring the situation to prevent possible reprisals from Awwalu’s associates or bandit groups operating in the Tsafe-Yankuzo axis.
How Notorious Informant, Awwalu Dan Garin Mararraba, Killed in Tsafe after long-standing double life as a vigilante and bandit accomplice
Zulum Approves ₦1 Billion for New Agric University’s Take Off
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved ₦1 billion for the immediate commencement of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama.
Governor Zulum announced the donation on Monday while receiving an inter-ministerial delegation on an assessment visit to the Government House.
The team included officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of Service.
The institution was established after a bill sponsored by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan was signed into law by the President on May 22, 2025.
Governor Zulum had previously handed over the existing Umar Ibn Ibrahim Elkanemi College of Education, Science and Technology in Bama to the federal government to facilitate a quick start of academic activities.
“I want to announce the donation of ₦1 billion for the take off of the University,” Zulum stated. “I hereby direct the Commissioner for Education to facilitate the process and identify the immediate priority areas and gaps to channel the resources.”
He explained the state’s proactive role, saying, “The federal government announced the establishment of the university, but the state has to provide the enabling environment for the immediate take off of the institution.”
“Although the institution belongs to the federal government, the services that would be rendered is for the good people of Borno State,” he added. “For me, every federal institution, especially the tertiary institutions belong to Borno State government.”
The governor also promised to construct staff quarters and provide additional support.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, sponsor of the bill, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, minister of education for ensuring that the university becomes a reality.
Leader of the federal delegation, who is also the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, reported that the team was impressed after inspecting the Bama facility.
“Your Excellency, the team went round the institution this morning and what we saw was quite encouraging,” Rakiya said. “We can tell His Excellency that the institution has everything it needs to take off.”
She confirmed that the institution is ready to begin operations and that the team would proceed with staff verification.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur; Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN; Member representing Monguno, Marte and Nganzai federal constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Malumbe; other members of the State Executive Council as well as Special Advisers.
Zulum Approves ₦1 Billion for New Agric University’s Take Off
45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Forty-five kidnapped persons have been released from captivity in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State following engagements under the Operation Safe Corridor peace accord.
The victims, comprising men and women abducted from Guga in Doguwar Dorawa Fulani settlement camp and Gidan Danmayaki villages, were freed on Monday through a negotiation channel linked to a bandit leader identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
Zagazola Makama report that the victims regained freedom at about 1400hrs and were immediately received by the member representing Bakori Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.
The lawmaker transferred the victims to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Bakori, where medical personnel conducted evaluations to ascertain their physical condition after prolonged captivity.
Authorities said the freed hostages have since been reunited with their families.
Security personnel and community leaders are maintaining close monitoring as part of efforts to consolidate the peace process and prevent further attacks.
45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina
News
Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector
Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector
The UK Government, through its climate-smart agriculture programme, Propcom+ in collaboration with Welcome2Africa International, is spearheading a Strategic Agribusiness Deal Room designed to mobilise private capital into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains while supporting inclusive, market-led economic transformation.
This initiative underscores the UK’s commitment to strengthening agribusiness value chains, fostering sustainable partnerships, and driving inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
Positioned as a high-impact investment marketplace, the Deal Room, which will be held from November 18 to 19, 2025, in Lagos, is expected to unlock over £5 million in potential investment and trade commitments, featuring more than 20 pre-vetted, investment-ready agribusinesses.
These enterprises operate across priority sectors, including grains, cassava and starch derivatives, livestock, bioethanol, food processing, mechanisation, agri-tech, and renewable energy, all demonstrating clear growth pathways, commercial traction, and scalability.
“The Deal Room represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate private investment into Nigeria’s agrifood sector and deepen the pipeline of climate-smart, inclusive enterprises,” Olumide Ojo, Propcom+’s Strategy Director, noted.
“By connecting high-potential SMEs with investors, we aim to drive capital mobilisation that strengthens market systems, improves resilience, and expands economic opportunities for farmers, women, and rural communities.”
Echoing the investment rationale, Welcome2Africa International CEO, Bamidele Seun Owoola, reinforced the platform’s role in facilitating cross-border capital flows.
“At Welcome2Africa International, our focus is to catalyse sustainable investment into Africa’s agrifood sector. Co-hosting the Deal Room with Propcom+ presents a unique opportunity to position Nigeria’s most promising agribusinesses before global investors. This platform is fundamentally about unlocking capital and forging long-term investment partnerships that deliver shared prosperity.”
The Deal Room forms part of Propcom+’s broader mandate to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural markets, empower SMEs, and drive low-carbon, climate-smart growth. Following the event, Propcom+ will continue to support participating enterprises through technical assistance, investor engagement, due diligence, and transaction facilitation, advancing businesses toward investment closure.
Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector
Zulum Approves ₦1 Billion for New Agric University’s Take Off
45 kidnapped victims regain freedom under peace accord in Katsina
Propcom+, Welcome2Africa International target £5 million investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector
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