News
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
By: Zagazola Makama
A Katsina-based journalist, Jamil Mabai, has narrated his ordeal in the hands of officials of Katsina State Hisbah Board for requesting a follow up interview on an incident that led to the death of a resident.
He said he was at the Hisbah office to get a clearer picture of what transpired at a wedding ceremony last week in which shots were fired by Hisbah operatives who stormed the event to disrupt it because a disc jockey (DJ) was performing. According to him, Hisbah officials fired AK47 guns which sadly took the life of a guest, Mallam Gambo and injured many others.
The Katsina State Hisbah Board had for no specific reasons banned the activities of DJs in the state.
At the office to learn more about the unfortunate incident involving Hisbah operatives, Mabai was tricked into a corner where he was arrested and his phones confiscated on the orders of the Commandant.
“Following the ungly incident at the wedding ceremony, I contacted the Katsina Hisbah Public Relations Officer (PRO) to request a follow-up interview regarding Mallam Gambo’s death.
“Upon my arrival at the Hisbah office, I couldn’t find the PRO. Unknown to me, it was a setup. Soon enough some Hisbah officers approached me, claiming they were instructed to detain me.
“Despite explaining that I was a journalist there for an interview, they insisted that they had orders to detain me and confiscated my phone. I thereafter herded into a cell.
“I was later brought before the Commandant in his office where he threatened to deal with me for fighting with religion and God. He said there is nothing I or anybody can do to stop him and his officers from carrying on with their activities. He warned me to steer clear otherwise I will have myself to blame.
“Even when I informed them that detaining a journalist in their premises without any reason or opportunity to write a statement is a clear violation of press freedom, the arrogant officials were not bothered.
“I was released to be released after more than an hour of tongue-lashing and threats”.
The entire ordeal suffered by the journalist Mabai in the hands of Katsina State Hisbah once again raises serious questions about the activities of the so-called moral police in the North and also stirs concerns about what the proposed state police could be used for in the states if eventually created.
A civil servant in the state who pleaded not to be named for fear of harassment said it is rather worrisome that the Katsina State Government is watching while Hisbah operatives are running riot in the state with their provocative actions.
“The Katsina State Hisbah operatives who are mostly illiterates who barely understand their mandates are known and reviled for provocative actions against residents of the state all in the name of instilling morals.
“They go about the streets harassing innocent citizens; they flog people, forcefully cut people’s hair, destroy and cart away people’s wares and so on”.
Even more worrisome is that these barely literate, poorly-trained individuals wield assault rifles in the caliber of AK 47 with which they are terrorizing residents.
A number of people whose opinions were also sought on the activities of the organization are of the view that the State Government must rein in on them before they cause serious crisis in the state.
They wondered why a resident should lose his precious life simply because a bunch of moral thugs are against a DJ performing at a wedding. What is the offense in having a DJ perform in someone’s wedding? What Nigerian law did that contravene? they ask.
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
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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