Troops uncover identity of neutralised Boko Haram fighter as top bomb maker

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have uncovered the identity of a neutralised Boko Haram fighter identified as a key improvised explosive device (IED) expert and trainer in the North-East theatre of operations.

Zagazola Makama that the fighter, earlier neutralised during an ambush operation along a border axis, was later identified as Habba Umar, also known by the alias “Bomma”.

He was reportedly discovered to be a specialist in IED and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) fabrication, with links to terrorist elements of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

According to the sources, the suspect was believed to have operated within an enclave around Arena Wuje and allegedly played a key role in training and coordinating explosive device activities for the group.

Intelligence further indicated that he had suspected links to previous IED incidents along the Marte–Dikwa axis and parts of the Lake Chad basin corridor, although investigations are ongoing to fully establish the extent of his involvement.

The sources added that troops recovered items and electronic devices from the scene of the ambush, which are currently undergoing intelligence exploitation to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Military authorities said operations in the general area remain ongoing, with troops sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and their support networks across the theatre.

Troops uncover identity of neutralised Boko Haram fighter as top bomb maker

Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba

A sociocultural group under the auspices of Nyimatli Development Association (NDA) has demanded that the 2027 senatorial seat of Gombe Central be zoned to Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday in Gombe, Mr Emmanuel Usman, the secretary of the group in the company of other executive members said the demand was from the entire people of Yamaltu Deba LGA.

Usman said the demand was a necessary step for equity, unity, justice and inclusiveness.

He stated that since Gombe Central has two Local Government Areas of Akko and Yamaltu Deba and Akko has held the seat for 16 years, zoning it to Yamaltu Deba would ensure parity and correct the zoning imbalance.

“Akko has held the seat for too long and it is our turn to ensure equitable representation; this is the message from the Tera people and the people of Yamaltu Deba.

“The people of Yamaltu Deba LGA are concerned about the issue of representation at the National Assembly particularly at the Senate.

“Yamaltu Deba is in Gombe Central Senatorial District and the district is owned by Akko and Yamaltu Deba and by extension this seat should go round between the two LGAs in the zone.

“When we returned into the present democratic era, the first senator was from Akko who served for four years and then it returned to Yamaltu Deba, for another four years.
“Until it came to the time when Senator Danjuma Goje, from Akko became senator and he has served four consecutive terms that is for 16 years, without it being returned to Yamaltu Deba.

“We feel as a people if we own this seat collectively, equity and justice should have been the right thing and if Akko has enjoyed 16 years, it should now be returned to Yamaltu Deba,” he said.

Usman said that the people of Yamaltu Deba were already feeling maginalised not because the current senator Goje lacked competence or representation, but because they have been denied the right to represent the district.

He said the LGA has a lot of competent politicians and technocrats who could effectively represent the Senatorial District and fast track development.

Usman pleaded with Goje not to contest the 2027 senatorial seat but allow Yamaltu Deba in the spirit of “our unwritten consensus” for turn taking in representation.

“We have supported Goje, voted for him and given him the platform to lead, it is now time for him to return the favour and step aside for others from Yamaltu Deba to occupy the senate seat.”

He also appealed to Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State as the party leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to listen to their plea towards ensuring fairness, inclusion and justice.

Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

As 2027 general elections are approaching, over 8 aspirants from the three senatorial districts of Yobe state are jostling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Notably among them are the current Secretary to the Yobe State Government and the longest SSG in Northeastern Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW) mni; the former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the longest member at the National Assembly since 1999 up to date and the current Senator for the Yobe North Senatorial District, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, GCON (SAIL), Sardaunan Bade; and Senator Mohammed Ibrahim Bomai (MIB), two-term Senator for the Yobe South Senatorial District and Madakin Fika Emirate Council.

Others notable among them include Senator Musa Mustapha (COOLERS), current Senator of the Yobe East Senatorial District; Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, former Deputy Governor of Yobe State and former Minister of Power and Jarman of the Pataskum Emirate Council; and Kashim Musa Tumsah, a lawyer and diplomat, and hosts of others. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been ruling the state since the return of democracy in 1999 or since the creation of the state. Muhammad Abba, a political analyst in the state, revealed that we are advising the party stakeholders in the state that if they want the party to continue ruling the state, they should adopt the rotation or zoning formula so that every senatorial district will benefit from the governorship seat in the state.

Dr. Garba Adamu, also a political analyst in the state, said rotation or zoning is the best option for the APC in the state, adding that since the creation of the state, Zone A, or the Yobe East Senatorial District, for a long time has held the power or has produced the governor, and the Yobe South Senatorial District has produced only one governor, Mamman B. Ali, who spent only 18 months in office before he died. But in the Yobe North Senatorial District, Zone C, they never produce anything else, neither the governor nor the deputy; they never get the opportunity or the chance.

He added that, but this time around if the party wants to win the election easily without facing any challenges from the opposition party, they should reintroduce the zoning system because it will encourage the electorates to come out en masse to vote for the party, especially from Zone C, because they picked its son to be the party candidate. However, he said the best candidate from the zone, who would win the election 100%, is Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW), the current secretary to the state government; he has the capacity, and he has the experience to handle the affairs of the state because of his long experience in administration.

According to him, the election of Baba Mallam Wali as the fifth democratically elected governor of Yobe State will steady impactful walks through the corridors of power at both local and state levels. He is a man blessed with a character of humility, sympathy, and accessibility and a genius in letting go of what rightfully and lawfully belongs to him for peace to reign. However, BMW’s plan is to continue building on what they call the “Renewed Hope and Vision of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the legacy of His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Geidam,” aimed at delivering a better life for residents of Yobe State.

“Baba Mallam Wali’s agenda is anchored on People-Oriented Development (POD), a strategy designed to ensure that government decisions directly continue to improve the daily lives of citizens. Alhaji Idris Musa, also a political analyst in the state, reiterates his call to the APC-led administration in Yobe State to adopt the rotation formula aimed to balance its political equations, adding that if care is not carefully taken in Yobe politics this time and if they fail to implement the zoning formula, they will face the consequences because likely the opposition party will win the election, because the two senatorial zones will react, especially Zone C and Zone B.

Zone C deserved to pick the governorship ticket of Yobe State in 2027, and if there is fairness, equity, and justice in the 2027 election, then from Zone C, the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali MNI, is capable and has the capacity to hold the ticket, and he will deliver, inshallah.

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe